Navelbine IV (Vinorelbine Tartrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Navelbine IV Used For?
Navelbine IV contains vinorelbine tartrate, which belongs to a family of medicines called vinca alkaloids. It’s a type of chemotherapy medicine that fights cancer by stopping cancer cells from growing and multiplying.
Primary Uses
Navelbine IV 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 IV works by stopping cancer cells from growing and multiplying, which causes the cancer cells to die. It belongs to a group of medicines called antineoplastic or cytotoxic medicines.
Important: Navelbine IV is not recommended for use in children and adolescents as there is no information on its effects in this age group.
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How to Take Navelbine IV
Navelbine IV is given as a slow infusion (drip) into your veins and must only be administered by a doctor or nurse in a medical setting.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will decide your dose based on your body surface area, condition, liver function, and whether you’re receiving other chemotherapy medicines. Navelbine IV is usually given every week, but may be given less often if combined with other cancer treatments. Several courses may be needed depending on your response.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you realize you’ve missed an appointment for your Navelbine IV dose. Use a diary, calendar, or ask someone to remind you of upcoming appointments.
Important: Your blood cell counts will be monitored regularly, and further doses may be delayed until your blood cell numbers return to acceptable levels.
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 and vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Unusual tiredness, weakness, sleepiness
- Hair loss
- Muscle aches and tenderness
- Chest pain and jaw pain
- Painful swollen joints
- Injection site reactions
- Shortness of breath
- High or low blood pressure
- Fever
- Skin rash
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing or severe breathlessness
- Chest pain with breathlessness and fainting (possible blood clot)
- Frequent infections, fever, severe chills, sore throat
- Easy bleeding or bruising, nosebleeds
- Numbness and tingling in fingers and toes
- Muscle control problems, abnormal walking or speech
- Severe headaches, confusion, blurred vision
- Severe stomach pain with bloating and vomiting
- Pain or burning when urinating, blood in urine
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Severe chest pain (heart problems)
- Allergic reactions: rash, itching, hives, swelling
Important Warnings
Navelbine IV has serious contraindications and requires careful monitoring. It’s important to understand all warnings before treatment begins.
Who Should Not Take Navelbine IV
Do not use if you’re allergic to vinorelbine or other vinca alkaloids; have had an infection or high temperature in the last 2 weeks; recently had or plan to have yellow fever vaccination; are currently receiving radiation therapy to your liver; have severe liver problems; have reduced white blood cells (neutropenia) or platelets; are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, liver problems, low white blood cell count, lung problems including asthma, or if you take other medicines or cancer treatments. Also inform them if you’ve recently had or plan to have any vaccinations.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Navelbine IV is not recommended during pregnancy as it may harm your 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 fertility effects. Do not breastfeed during treatment as the medicine may pass into breast milk.
Blood Cell Monitoring: Navelbine IV reduces white blood cells and platelets, increasing infection and bleeding risk. Regular blood monitoring is essential.
Drug Interactions
Several medicines may interfere with Navelbine IV and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Important: Your doctor may need to adjust your dose or prescribe different medicines if you’re taking any interacting medications.
- Blood thinners (anticoagulants) like phenindione, warfarin, heparin
- Phenytoin for epilepsy
- Cyclosporin, tacrolimus (immunity-lowering medicines)
- Itraconazole, ketoconazole (antifungal medicines)
- Mitomycin, lapatinib (cancer medicines)
- Medicines with bone marrow toxicity
- Other cancer medicines like cisplatin
- Ritonavir for AIDS
- Rifampicin for tuberculosis
Alcohol & Driving
Navelbine IV can cause fatigue and other symptoms that may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol may worsen the tiredness caused by Navelbine IV. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Navelbine IV affects you. Fatigue is a common side effect, so make sure you know how the medicine affects you before doing anything that could be dangerous if you’re feeling tired.
Storage
Navelbine IV is usually stored at the hospital or pharmacy. If storing at home: keep in the refrigerator at 2 to 8°C (do not freeze), protect from light, and keep away from children. Do not store in the bathroom, car, or on window sills.
Overdose Information
Since Navelbine IV is given under medical supervision, overdose is very unlikely. However, if you experience any side effects during or after treatment, tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist immediately. In case of emergency, call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26, contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Navelbine IV is given as a slow infusion into your veins, usually every week. The number of treatment cycles depends on your response to treatment, which your doctor will monitor closely.
Live vaccines (like measles, mumps, rubella) are not recommended during treatment. You should not have yellow fever vaccination. Discuss any planned vaccinations with your doctor.
Since Navelbine IV lowers your white blood cell count, avoid people with infections, be careful with dental hygiene, check with your doctor before dental work, and contact your doctor immediately if you develop fever, chills, or signs of infection.
Your doctor will regularly monitor your blood counts with tests. Signs of low white blood cells include frequent infections, fever, and chills. Signs of low platelets include easy bleeding or bruising.
Drinking alcohol may worsen the fatigue that commonly occurs with Navelbine IV treatment. You should tell your doctor if you drink alcohol so they can advise you appropriately.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you feel any pain or discomfort during the infusion. This could indicate irritation at the injection site.
Women must use effective contraception during treatment and for 7 months after the last dose. Men should use contraception during treatment and for at least 4 months after treatment ends.
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.