Vinblastine

What is vinblastine?

Vinblastine is a medicine that is used to kill cancer cells. It stops the cells from dividing and making new cells.

Before giving vinblastine to your child

Tell your doctor if your child:

• has ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to vinblastine
• may be pregnant or is breast-feeding

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. This medicine may not be right for your child if they have:

• chicken pox (including recent exposure) or herpes zoster (shingles)
• gout
• kidney stones
• liver disease

How should you give your child vinblastine?

Vinblastine comes in a liquid that is injected into your child's vein. This is done by a nurse in the hospital clinic or nursing unit.

What are the possible side effects of vinblastine?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take vinblastine. Call your child's doctor during office hours if your child has any of these side effects:

• trouble having a bowel movement (constipation)
• muscle weakness
• pain or stiffness in the jaw or mouth

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to the Emergency Department if your child has any of these side effects:

• changes in mood or behaviour
• redness, pain, or swelling at site of injection
• numbness or tingling in fingers or toes
• difficulty walking
• swelling of feet or lower legs
• decreased or increased urination
• persistent or severe constipation
• severe stomach pain
• unusual signs of bleeding (such as blood in urine)

What safety measures should you take when your child is using vinblastine?

Your child's skin may become more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen or avoid exposure to sunlight.

Your child should not receive any immunizations (vaccines) without your child's doctor's approval. Your child or anyone else in your household should not get oral polio vaccine while your child is being treated for cancer. Tell your child's doctor if anyone in your household has recently received oral polio vaccine. Your child should avoid contact with anyone who has recently received this vaccine.

Your child will be at risk of getting an infection. Avoid people with infections, such as the cold or flu.

Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines (prescription or non-prescription or herbal products).

What other important information should you know about vinblastine?

• Keep a list of all medications your child is on to show the doctor or pharmacist.
• Your child may lose their hair. It will grow back once your child is no longer receiving vinblastine. Its colour and texture may change. Use a gentle shampoo and a soft brush.
• Vinblastine does not usually cause upset stomach or throwing up.
  

Keep vinblastine out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much vinblastine, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.