Vinorelbine injection

What is this medication?

VINORELBINE (vi NOR el been) is a chemotherapy drug. It targets fast dividing cells, like cancer cells, and causes these cells to die. This medicine is used to treat lung cancer.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Navelbine

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• blockage in your bowel
• liver disease
• low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
• lung or breathing disease, like asthma
• tingling of the fingers or toes, or other nerve disorder
• an unusual or allergic reaction to vinorelbine, other chemotherapy agents, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care provider if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• live virus vaccines

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• certain antibiotics such as erythromycin or clarithromycin
• certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis
• certain medicines for fungal infections such as fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, or voriconazole
• cimetidine
• ciprofloxacin
• conivaptan
• crizotinib
• cyclosporine
• diltiazem
• dronedarone
• fluvoxamine
• grapefruit juice
• idelalisib
• imatinib
• nefazodone
• nelfinavir
• verapamil

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

This medicine may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your health care provider tells you to stop.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine or for 6 months after stopping it. Women should inform their health care provider if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Men should not father a child while taking this medicine and for 3 months after stopping it. There is potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care provider for more information. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine or for 9 days after stopping it.

This may make it more difficult to father a child. Talk to your health care provider if you are concerned about your fertility.

This medicine will cause constipation. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2 to 3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your health care provider.

This medicine may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your health care provider for advice if you get a fever, chills, or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Call your health care provider if you are around anyone with measles, chickenpox, or if you develop sores or blisters that do not heal properly.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine.

Avoid taking medicines that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your health care provider. These medicines may hide a fever.

Be careful brushing or flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medicine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• constipation
• pain, redness, or irritation at site where injected
• signs and symptoms of bleeding such as bloody or black, tarry stools; red or dark brown urine; spitting up blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds; red spots on the skin; unusual bruising or bleeding from the eyes, gums, or nose
• signs and symptoms of infection like fever; chills; cough; sore throat; pain or trouble passing urine
• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin
• signs and symptoms of low red blood cells or anemia such as unusually weak or tired; feeling faint or lightheaded; falls; breathing problems
• tingling, numbness in the hands or feet

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• jaw pain
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• stomach pain

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.