Navelbine Oral (Vinorelbine Tartrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Navelbine Oral Used For?
Navelbine Oral contains vinorelbine tartrate, a chemotherapy medicine that belongs to a family called vinca alkaloids. It’s an antineoplastic (anti-cancer) medicine used to fight cancer cells.
Primary Uses
Navelbine Oral is used to treat lung cancer and advanced breast cancer. It may be used alone or combined with other cancer medicines.
How It Works
Navelbine Oral works by stopping cancer cells from growing and multiplying, which causes the cancer cells to die. It’s not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years old.
Treatment approach: Several courses of therapy may be needed depending on your response to treatment, and your doctor will monitor your progress regularly.
How to Take Navelbine Oral
Navelbine Oral comes as capsules that must be swallowed whole. Your doctor will determine your exact dose based on your body surface area, condition, liver function, and other treatments you may be receiving.
Dosage Instructions
Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water – do not chew or suck it. Take with food. The liquid inside is an irritant, so damaged capsules should not be swallowed. If the contents contact your skin or eyes, wash thoroughly with water and contact your doctor immediately. Usually given weekly, but may be less frequent if combined with other cancer medicines.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you realize you’ve missed a dose. Use a diary, calendar, or ask someone to remind you of your next dose. Refer to your Patient Booklet for additional guidance.
Important: If vomiting occurs within a few hours of taking Navelbine Oral, do not repeat the dose. Your doctor may prescribe anti-nausea medication if needed.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- loss of appetite, constipation
- unusual tiredness, weakness, sleepiness
- unusual hair loss
- aching muscles
- skin reactions
- fever, jaw pain
- painful swollen joints
- weight loss or gain
- high or low blood pressure
- trouble sleeping, dizziness, headache
- coughing, change in taste
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- difficulty breathing, chest pain
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- frequent infections, fever, severe chills, sore throat
- mouth ulcers, blood infections
- easy bleeding or bruising, nosebleeds
- tiredness, headaches, dizziness, looking pale
- lack of muscle control, abnormal gait or speech
- severe headaches, confusion, blurred vision
- rash, itching, hives
- swelling of feet, ankles, face, lips, tongue
- vision changes, difficulty swallowing
- painful urination, liver disorders
Important Warnings
Navelbine Oral has serious contraindications and requires careful monitoring. It significantly affects your immune system and blood cell counts.
Who Should Not Take Navelbine Oral
Do not use if you’re allergic to vinorelbine or other vinca alkaloids (vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, vinflunine). Avoid if you have or recently had severe infection, plan yellow fever vaccination, are receiving liver radiation therapy, have severe liver problems, low blood cell/platelet counts, stomach/intestinal surgery or disorders, or need long-term oxygen therapy.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor about heart problems, liver issues, low blood cell counts, stomach problems, lung problems including asthma, rare hereditary fructose intolerance, any infections in the last 2 weeks, planned vaccinations, or if your daily living activities are strongly reduced.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take if pregnant or planning pregnancy – may harm developing baby. Use effective contraception during treatment: women for 7 months after last dose, men for minimum 4 months after treatment. Men should consider sperm conservation due to potential irreversible infertility. Stop breastfeeding before starting treatment as the drug passes into breast milk.
Blood Cell Monitoring: This medicine significantly reduces white blood cells and platelets, increasing infection and bleeding risk. Regular blood tests are essential.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Navelbine Oral or be affected by it. Always inform your healthcare providers about all medicines you’re taking.
Live vaccines: Avoid live attenuated vaccines (measles, mumps, rubella) as they may increase risk of life-threatening vaccine disease.
- mitomycin and lapatinib (cancer medicines)
- warfarin, phenindione (blood thinners)
- cisplatin (other cancer medicine)
- ketoconazole, itraconazole (antifungal medicines)
- ritonavir (HIV/AIDS medicine)
- rifampicin (tuberculosis/meningitis medicine)
- cyclosporin, tacrolimus (immunosuppressants)
- phenytoin (epilepsy medicine)
Alcohol & Driving
Navelbine Oral commonly causes fatigue and dizziness, which can affect your ability to drive safely or operate machinery.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol may worsen the tiredness and dizziness caused by Navelbine Oral. Discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Navelbine Oral affects you. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience symptoms that affect your concentration and reaction time.
Storage
Store Navelbine Oral in the refrigerator at 2 to 8°C in original packaging. Do not freeze. Protect from light and keep away from children. Do not store in bathroom or near sink, and avoid windowsills or cars where heat and dampness can destroy the medicine.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Navelbine Oral, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Several courses of Navelbine Oral therapy may be needed depending on your response to treatment. Your doctor will monitor your progress regularly to determine effectiveness.
Yes, Navelbine Oral should be taken with food. Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water without chewing or sucking it.
If vomiting occurs within a few hours of taking Navelbine Oral, do not repeat the dose. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help with vomiting if it becomes a problem.
Drinking alcohol may worsen the tiredness and dizziness that are common side effects of Navelbine Oral. Discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor.
Navelbine Oral reduces the number of white blood cells and platelets in your body, increasing your risk of infection and bleeding. Your doctor will check these levels regularly and may delay further doses until your blood cell numbers return to acceptable levels.
Check with your doctor immediately if you think you may be getting an infection, or if you develop fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or find it painful to urinate. Avoid people with infections and take precautions to reduce infection risk.
Live attenuated vaccines (like measles, mumps, rubella) are not recommended while taking Navelbine Oral as they may increase the risk of life-threatening vaccine disease. Discuss any planned vaccinations with your doctor.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.