Vinorelbine

Vinorelbine or vinorelbine tartrate is a medicine to deal with some types of cancer. This drug is used in chemotherapy procedures to overcome cervical cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Vinorelbine works by inhibiting the process of cell division, so that the growth of cancer cells in the body can be slowed down or stopped. Vinorelbine is usually combined with other chemotherapy drugs.

Brand names of vinorelbine:  Navelbine, Vinsoh, Vinorelsin, Vinorkal, Vinorelbine Tartrate

What Is Vinorelbine

Warnings Before Using Vinorelbine

Vinorelbine should be used with a doctor's prescription. Here are some things you need to pay attention to before using vinorelbine:

• Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Vinorelbine should not be used by patients who are allergic to this drug.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had or are currently suffering from liver disease , nerve disorders, heart disease , intestinal obstruction, tingling, or diseases of the spinal cord that can cause anemia , leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia .
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant. Use contraception to prevent pregnancy during treatment with vinorelbine.
• Tell your doctor if you have recently undergone radiation therapy or cancer treatment.
• Tell your doctor if you want to have immunizations or vaccinations with live vaccines, such as typhoid vaccine, while using vinorelbine. This is because this drug can reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine.
• Do not consume alcohol, drive a vehicle or do activities that require alertness during treatment with vinorelbine, because this drug can make you dizzy .
• Use sunscreen and limit activities that expose you to direct sunlight during treatment with vinorelbine, because this drug can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight and increase the risk of sunburn .
• Tell your doctor if you are using other medicines, including supplements, or herbal products.
• See a doctor immediately if you experience a drug allergic reaction , serious side effects or overdose after using vinorelbine.

Vinorelbine Dosage and Administration

Vinorelbine will be given by the doctor, the dose will be determined based on the age, condition of the patient, and the body's response to the drug. In general, the following is the dose of vinorelbine for adults based on the form of drug preparation, body surface area (LPT) and patient condition:

Intravenous (IV) injection form

• Condition: Cervical cancer
  The dose is 30 mg/m2, on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle.

• Conditions: Breast cancer, ovarian cancer
  The dose is 25 mg/m2, every 7 days.

• Condition: Non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC)
  The dose is 30 mg/m2, once a week given by infusion for 20-30 minutes if dissolved in a 5% glucose solution. As combination therapy with cisplatin, the dose is 25–30 mg/m2, 1 time per week

Soft capsule form

• Condition: Non - small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) The dose is 60 mg/m2, once a week for 3 weeks. The dose can be increased to 80 mg/m2, 1 time per week.
  

How to Use Vinorelbine Correctly

Vinorelbine injection will be given in the hospital by a doctor or medical staff under the supervision of a doctor. Vinorelbine will be injected through a vein (IV/intravenous).

The doctor will inject vinorelbine according to the patient's condition. Follow your doctor's advice during treatment with vinorelbine.

For vinorelbine soft capsule preparations, follow the dosage given by the doctor. Do not increase or decrease the dose without first consulting a doctor.

Consume this medicine regularly according to the schedule given by the doctor. Swallow the medicine with water. Swallow the medicine whole, do not chew or crush it.

If you forget to take vinorelbine, take it immediately if the pause with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it's close, ignore it and don't double the dose.

Make sure to check yourself with a doctor regularly while using vinorelbine so that the doctor can monitor the progress of the condition.

Store vinorelbine in tightly closed storage, at room temperature, and away from sunlight. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.

Vinorelbine Interactions with Other Drugs

The following are a number of drug interaction effects that may occur if vinorelbine is taken together with other drugs:

• Increased risk of granulocytopenia if used with cisplatin
• Increased risk of nerve cell damage if used together with paclitaxel, itraconazole , or ketoconazole
• Increased risk of pulmonary disorders if used with mitomycin
• Increased risk of spinal cord damage if used with zidovudine
• Increased risk of side effects if used with troleandomycin, verapamil , erythromycin, or ritonavir
• Increased risk of infectious diseases and decreased effectiveness of live vaccines, such as BCG vaccine, influenza vaccine, measles vaccine , or typhoid vaccine

Side Effects and Dangers of Vinorelbine

Some side effects that may occur after using vinorelbine are:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Tired or dizzy
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Muscle pain or joint pain
• For injectable preparations, irritation, pain, redness, or bruising may occur at the injection site
• Hair loss

Check with your doctor if the above side effects do not subside. Go to the doctor immediately if there is a drug allergic reaction that can be marked by certain symptoms, such as the appearance of an itchy and swollen rash, swollen eyes and lips, or difficulty breathing.

In addition, you should also see a doctor immediately if you experience more serious side effects, such as:

• Shortness of breath , cough, or difficulty breathing
• Mood swings
• Severe constipation, abdominal pain , or bloody stools
• Numbness, tingling , and muscle weakness
• Pain, redness, and peeling skin on the hands or feet
• Liver disorders, characterized by nausea, vomiting , loss of appetite, stomach pain, jaundice , or dark colored urine
• Leukopenia, which is characterized by fever , chills, thrush, easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, or dizziness