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Vinblastine is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a health care provider to treat certain cancers. Common side effects include hair loss, constipation, high blood pressure, and pain. Serious side effects are less common but may include allergic reactions, heart problems, breathing problems, or blood disorders. Call your health care provider right away if you get a fever, rash, swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath. 

Uses

What is vinblastine used for?

Vinblastine is commonly used to treat certain people with the following types of cancer.

Vinblastine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does vinblastine work (mechanism of action)?

Vinblastine is a type of medicine called chemotherapy. It works by stopping cancer cells from growing correctly. This can stop or slow the growth of cancer and make the tumors shrink. 

How is vinblastine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Velban

Dosage forms and strengths

Vinblastine is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store vinblastine?

Vinblastine is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of vinblastine?

The most common side effects of vinblastine are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Blood disorders (see below)
  • Hair loss
  • Constipation
  • High blood pressure
  • Muscle and bone pain
  • Cancer tumor pain
  • Jaw pain

There may be other side effects of vinblastine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of vinblastine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of vinblastine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Vinblastine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Blood Disorders. Vinblastine can cause blood disorders, such as low white blood cell levels (leukopenia). Keep all of your appointments with your health care provider to have your blood cell counts checked, and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Frequent infections
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness

Sudden Breathing Problems. Vinblastine may cause the muscles around your airways to tighten (bronchospasm) right after you use it, instead of relaxing these muscles. In some cases, this can be serious. Tell your health care provider right away if your breathing gets worse instead of better right after using vinblastine.

Heart Attack. Vinblastine can increase your risk of a heart attack that can lead to death. This risk may be higher in people who already have heart disease. Do not use vinblastine if you have had a recent heart attack without talking to your health care provider. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack.

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm

Nerve Problems. Nerves are the fibers that carry sensations from your body to the brain. Damage to these nerves, called peripheral neuropathy, can happen in people who are using vinblastine. Tell your health care provider if you have pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet.

Mouth Sores. Sores in the mouth or throat may happen while you are using vinblastine. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following.

  • Fever or chills
  • Severe mouth or throat soreness or pain

Tissue Damage. Vinblastine is given as an infusion into a vein. If the medicine does not go into your vein, it could damage nearby tissue. Your infusion may need to be stopped, and you may need treatment to prevent further tissue damage. Tell your health care provider right away if you have pain, swelling, warmth, or skin color changes where the medicine is given.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use vinblastine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use vinblastine.

  • Velban
  • Vinblastine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific vinblastine products they stock.

Low White Blood Cell Levels. If you have a low level of a certain type of white blood cells called granulocytes, it may not be safe for you to use vinblastine. Your health care provider may do tests to check your granulocyte levels. 

Infection. If you have a current bacterial infection, you should not use vinblastine. Talk with your health care provider about any recent or current infections.

What should I know about vinblastine before using it?

Vinblastine is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. 

You should take steps to prevent constipation while you are using vinblastine. Some strategies may include drinking plenty of fluids and eating enough fiber. Ask your health care provider if you need help preventing constipation. 

Hair loss is common with vinblastine. If you lose hair while using vinblastine, hair on your head will likely grow back, even while you are still using vinblastine. If you have concerns, talk to your health care provider. 

Using vinblastine may make it hard for you to get your partner pregnant. If you have concerns, talk to your health care provider.

What should I tell my health care provider before using vinblastine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if vinblastine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart disease, including angina or previous heart attack 
  • Liver problems
  • Blood disorder problems, such as low platelets or low white blood cells
  • Current or prior infection
  • Prior cancer
  • Radiation therapy in the recent past
  • Current skin rash, sores, or blisters on your skin
  • Cachexia
  • Breathing problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Vinblastine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using vinblastine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how vinblastine could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use vinblastine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if vinblastine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop vinblastine.

Interactions

Does vinblastine interact with foods or drinks?

You should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using vinblastine. Grapefruit can interfere with your body’s ability to break down vinblastine. This can lead to high levels of the medicine and an increased risk of side effects. See the Side Effects section for more details. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect vinblastine, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer. 

Does vinblastine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using vinblastine.

  • Any other chemotherapy medicine to treat cancer, such as mitomycin-C 
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • A macrolide antibiotic, such as clarithromycin or erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others), which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which are medicines used for fungal infections
  • A calcium channel blocker, such as diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others) or verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or other conditions

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of vinblastine. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with vinblastine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much vinblastine?

If you or someone else has used too much vinblastine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of vinblastine?

Missing doses of vinblastine can cause it to not work as well over time. So it is important not to miss or skip doses. Vinblastine is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving vinblastine as scheduled.

If you miss an appointment to get your vinblastine dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.