Vinorelbine is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat a certain type of cancer of the lungs.
This medicine may also be used on its own or together with other medicines to treat breast cancer that has failed to respond to other medicines for cancer.
Vinorelbine is to be given intravenously (into the vein) via infusion (drip). It is delivered into the bloodstream via the blood vessel.
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of the treatment depending on your condition and response to the medication.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any dose. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Vinorelbine.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection with your doctor, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or infusion should be given as soon as possible.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- current or recent (within 2 weeks) low white blood cell counts or severe infection
- low platelet count
as Vinorelbine may not be suitable for you.
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while on Vinorelbine therapy, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
Men should not father a child while being treated with this medicine. Both men and women must use proven birth control methods during Vinorelbine therapy and for 6 months (in women) and for 3 months (in men) after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine and for 9 days after the last dose.
Alert your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated. You must avoid any vaccinations without first consulting your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease e.g. chest pain, heart attack
- liver disease
- received radiation therapy wherein the treatment field included the liver
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before the treatment initiation to know if this medicine is suited for you to use.
- Routine tests (e.g. complete blood count, liver function test) may be done while you are being treated with Vinorelbine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring for signs and symptoms of infection may also be needed.
Vinorelbine may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, mouth sore, hair loss, pain in the joint, jaw or muscle, and redness, pain or vein discolouration at the injection site.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- severe constipation, stomach pain
- severe chest pain
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark coloured urine, swelling in the legs and ankles
- numbness or tingling sensation in the hands and feet, muscle weakness
- signs and symptoms of severe lung problems e.g. shortness of breath, cough, wheezing
This medicine may cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever or a cough or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Avoid vaccinations during treatment with Vinorelbine. Alert your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated or if you are planning to get vaccinated.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines that are used to treat cancer e.g. mitomycin, cisplatin, lapatinib
- blood-thinning medicine e.g. warfarin, phenindione
- medicines used to treat fungal infection e.g. itraconazole, ketoconazole
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
- phenytoin (medicine for fits or seizures)
- ritonavir (medicine used for HIV infection)
- rifampicin (medicine used for an infection known as tuberculosis)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Vinorelbine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C. Do not allow to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used.
Protect from light.
As Vinorelbine is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired medicine to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal.
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