VINBLASTINE

Vinblastine is an antineoplastic agent. It works by interfering with

the reproduction of tumor cells. It is extremely important that the
needle be properly positioned before vinblastine is injected. If
vinblastine accidentally leaks into surrounding tissue, the skin
and/or muscle may be severely damaged. Notify your doctor
immediately if you feel pain or irritation at the injection site. This
drug is for intravenous (IV; into a vein) use only.
Treating certain types of cancer. It is usually used in combination
with other antineoplastic agents. It may also be used for other
conditions as determined by your doctor
Do NOT use vinblastine if:

1. you are allergic to any ingredient in vinblastine

2. you have a low white blood cell count that is not caused by the disease being
treated
3. you have a bacterial infection, chickenpox, or herpes zoster

MECHANISMS OF ACTION OF VINBLASTINE:

Vinblastine have been reported to act by two mechanisms. At
very low concentrations they suppress microtubule dynamics and
at higher concentrations they reduce microtubule polymer mass.
Recent findings indicate that they also produce microtubule
fragments by stimulating microtubule minus-end detachment
from their organizing centers

Possible side effects of vinblastine:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no,
or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most
COMMON side effects are:

Bone pain ,constipation , depression; diarrhea , dizziness ,general

body discomfort hair loss ,headache , jaw pain ,loss of appetite
,nausea ,stomach pain , vomiting, Severe allergic reactions (rash;
hives; itching; difficulty breathing ,tightness in the chest , swelling
of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in urine or stools, chest
pain; difficulty urinating; hoarseness; infection (sore throat,
cough, fever, chills, sore mouth) ,loss of tendon reflexes;
numbness or tingling of the fingers or toes.

Uses of vinblastine:
Vinblastine is used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs
to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma (Hodgkin's disease) and nonHodgkin's lymphoma (types of cancer that begin in a type of
white blood cell that normally fights infection), and cancer of the
testicles. It is also used to treat Langerhans cell histiocytosis
(histiocytosis : a condition in which too many of a certain type of
white blood cell grows in parts of the body). It may also be used
to treat breast cancer that has not improved after treatment with
other medications and gestational trophoblastic tumors (a type of
tumor that forms inside a woman's uterus while she is pregnant)
that has not improved after surgery or treatment with other
medications. Vinblastine is in a class of medications called vinca
alkaloids. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer
cells in your body.
STRUCTURE OF VINBLASTINE