What is Navelbine (Vinorelbine)?

Vinorelbine is cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body.
Vinorelbine is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer.
Vinorelbine is sometimes used in combination with other cancer medications.
Vinorelbine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Navelbine (Vinorelbine)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to it, or if you have severely low white blood cell counts.
Do not use vinorelbine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Before you receive vinorelbine, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, bone marrow suppression, a nerve disorder, or if you have received radiation therapy or other cancer treatments.
Vinorelbine is sometimes used in combination with other cancer medications.
Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when vinorelbine is injected.
Vinorelbine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a “live” vaccine while you are being treated with vinorelbine, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Navelbine (Vinorelbine)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to it, or if you have severely low white blood cell counts.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:

• liver disease
• bone marrow suppression
• a nerve disorder; or
• if you have received radiation therapy or other cancer treatments

FDA pregnancy category D. Vinorelbine can cause harm to an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Before you receive vinorelbine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether vinorelbine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are being treated with vinorelbine.

Navelbine Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Navelbine (Vinorelbine)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• signs of infection such as fever, chills, flu symptoms, mouth and throat ulcers, rapid heart rate, rapid and shallow breathing, fainting
• cough, bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing)
• severe constipation, stomach pain, bloody or black stools
• pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin
• numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling
• problems with vision, hearing, speech, balance, or daily activities
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or
• pain, burning, redness, swelling, or skin changes where the IV needle was placed

Less serious side effects may include:

• temporary hair loss
• jaw pain, joint or muscle pain
• tumor pain
• weight loss
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite; or
• feeling dizzy, weak, or tired

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Navelbine Interactions

What other drugs affect Navelbine (Vinorelbine)?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• conivaptan (Vaprisol)
• diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Solareze)
• imatinib (Gleevec)
• isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis)
• an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek)
• antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend)
• an antidepressant such as nefazodone
• heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others
• cancer medicines such as cisplatin (Platinol), carboplatin (Paraplatin), mitomycin (Mutamycin), or oxaliplatin (Elixatin)
• HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with vinorelbine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Navelbine (Vinorelbine)?

Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a “live” vaccine while you are being treated with vinorelbine, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin), and nasal flu vaccine.
Talk to your doctor about ways to avoid constipation while being treated with vinorelbine.

Navelbine Dosage

How should I take Navelbine (Vinorelbine)?

Vinorelbine is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion.
Vinorelbine is usually given once every 7 days. You may also receive the medication once every 6 weeks. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when the medicine is injected.
Vinorelbine can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

What happens if I overdose on Navelbine (Vinorelbine)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include white patches or sores in your mouth or throat, painful swallowing, heartburn, severe constipation, and stomach pain.

What happens if I miss a dose of Navelbine (Vinorelbine)?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your vinorelbine injection.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com