Which Medications Treat Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?
Several types of medication may be used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). What’s recommended for you depends on the stage of cancer and other factors.
vinorelbine
Used for Lung Cancer
Used for Lung Cancer
Vinorelbine is an intravenous chemotherapy medication used to treat many cancer types, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It might be given by itself or with another chemotherapy medication. Vinorelbine works to stop cancer cells from dividing, but can cause serious side effects like low blood cell counts, constipation, and nerve damage.
What is Vinorelbine?
What is Vinorelbine used for?
- Treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer either alone or in combination with cisplatin
How Vinorelbine works
The cells in our body grow by splitting and dividing. Cancer cells do this much more quickly than healthy cells.
Vinorelbine is a microtubule inhibitor, meaning it blocks microtubules. Microtubules are structures in the cell that play an important role in making sure cells divide properly. Vinorelbine fights cancer by blocking these structures, thus preventing cancer cells from dividing. As a result, the cancer cells can't grow and spread as well.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Navelbine |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Microtubule inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Vinorelbine
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Low white blood cells (92%)
- Low red blood cells (83%)
- Higher liver enzymes (up to 67%)
- Nausea (up to 44%)
- Weakness (36%)
- Constipation (35%)
- Redness, pain, and warmth around injection site (28%)
- Numbness and tingling in fingers and/or toes (25%)
- Vomiting (20%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
- Pain in blood vein
- Trouble breathing
Vinorelbine serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious infections (from low WBCs): temperature of 100.4F (with or without other symptoms, such as chills), cough, muscle aches, very fast heartbeat, confusion
- Other serious blood problems: severe tiredness, nosebleeds, unexplained bruising
- Serious lung problems: trouble breathing, fever, chest tightness, cough, rattling or clicking sound when breathing, fast breathing
- Serious gut problems: sudden stomach pain, bloating, nausea and vomiting, passing gas often
The following Vinorelbine side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
blood in the urine or stools
bluish color of the skin
burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
changes in skin color
chills
clay-colored stools
dark urine
decreased appetite
dizziness
feeling of fullness in the ears
headache
hoarseness
itching, skin rash
loss of appetite
loss of balance
loss of hearing
lower back or side pain
muscle pains, cramps, or stiffness
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
ringing or buzzing in the ears
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stomach pain or tenderness
swelling of the feet or lower legs
swollen glands
tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration, and prominent superficial veins over the affected area
trouble in hearing
troubled breathing with exertion
unsteadiness or awkwardness
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
yellow eyes or skin
Less common
Chest tightness
increased sensitivity to pain or touch
overactive reflexes, followed by underactive reflexes
trouble breathing
Rare
Agitation
chest discomfort
confusion
decreased awareness or responsiveness
decreased urine output
hostility
irritability
loss of consciousness
lower abdominal cramping
muscle twitching
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
rapid weight gain
seizures
severe sleepiness
swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
vomiting
Incidence not known
blistering or sloughing of the skin
blurred vision
change in walking and balance
clumsiness or unsteadiness
coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
difficult, fast, noisy breathing
difficulty in swallowing
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fainting
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
hives or welts
increased sweating
increased thirst
indigestion
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
lightheadedness
nervousness
pain or burning in the throat
pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
pale skin
pounding in the ears
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
redness, swelling, or pain of the skin
scaling of the skin on the hands and feet
slow heartbeat
ulceration of the skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
chills
confusion
fainting
fast heartbeat
lightheadedness
lower back or side pain
painful or difficult urination
partial or slight paralysis
rapid, shallow breathing
severe constipation
severe stomach pain
severe vomiting
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
swollen glands
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Change in taste
difficulty in moving
impaired hearing
joint pain or swelling
lack or loss of strength
thinning or loss of hair
Incidence not known
Back pain
cracked, dry, scaly skin
feeling of warmth or heat
flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
jaw pain
pain and redness of the skin at the place of earlier radiation treatment
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$Infinity
GoodRx discount
$26.20
Pros and cons of Vinorelbine
Pros
- Each infusion is quick (less than ten minutes)
- Typically doesn’t cause vomiting, like many other chemotherapy medications
- If taken alone, usually doesn’t cause hair loss
Cons
- Often causes low blood counts which makes it harder for you to fight off infections
- Might cause bothersome side effects, such as constipation and numbness in fingers and toes
- Infusions are once a week, which means a lot of appointments
Pharmacist tips for Vinorelbine
- Vinorelbine often causes low white blood cells. If you get sick while your white blood cells are low, your body might not be able to fight the infection as well. You can help prevent infections by washing your hands often, avoiding crowds, and washing raw fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them.
- Check your temperature regularly, such as once a day, and call your provider immediately if your temperature is 100.4ºF or higher, because this means you have a fever. Taking vinorelbine raises your risk for getting sick. Sometimes, a fever might be the only sign that you’re sick.
- Vinorelbine can cause constipation. Drink lots of water and eat plenty of high-fiber foods to prevent constipation. Your provider might also recommend a stool softener like docusate (Colace).
- Be aware of how you feel during the vinorelbine infusion. If the skin around your IV hurts, burns, or feels warm, tell your nurse right away as this can be a sign of a leak of the medication. Vinorelbine can damage the tissue around your vein if it leaks.
- Though it’s uncommon, vinorelbine can cause nausea in some people. If you’re taking vinorelbine and your stomach is upset, let your provider know. There are many medications that can help treat nausea during chemotherapy.
- Rarely, vinorelbine can cause lung problems like interstitial lung disease (ILD). Let your provider know right away if you have new or sudden difficulty breathing, cough, or chest tightness, because this can be serious.
Risks and warnings for Vinorelbine
Vinorelbine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Low blood cell counts (myelosuppression)
Vinorelbine commonly causes low blood cell counts, including white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), and platelets. This can lead to problems like feeling more tired (from low RBCs) and higher risk for bleeding (from low platelets). It can also raise your risk for serious and life-threatening infections (from low WBCs). You might be at higher risk for these problems if you’re older than 65 or if you’ve had chemotherapy or radiation before. Your doctor will check your labs before every vinorelbine treatment. They'll pay close attention to your WBCs and might change your dose or pause treatment if your counts are too low to give your body time to make new blood cells. If your white blood cells are low, it’s important to prevent getting sick by washing your hands often and avoiding crowds. Check your temperature regularly and call your provider right away if your temperature is 100.4ºF or higher.
Serious liver problems
- Risk factors: History of liver problems
Some people taking vinorelbine have shown high levels of liver enzymes on their blood tests, which can suggest liver problems. Most people don’t feel any noticeable symptoms when this happens. Your provider will monitor your liver health on a regular basis to make sure this medication is still safe for you to take. If your liver labs are too high, your provider might need to pause or stop your treatment with vinorelbine while they look into it. If you experience symptoms of liver problems, such as stomach pain, yellowish skin, or yellow around the whites of your eyes, call your provider right away.
Severe constipation
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that cause constipation
Vinorelbine might cause constipation, and in rare causes has caused serious tissue damage and tears in the gut. You can help prevent constipation by drinking lots of water and eating high fiber foods. Your provider might also recommend medications to prevent constipation such as docusate (Colace). If you have stomach pain, fever, or have gone longer without a bowel movement than is normal for you, contact your provider.
Pain and tissue damage around the infusion site
Though rare, it’s possible for vinorelbine to leak into the tissues around the IV line. If this happens, it can cause pain and damage to the skin or surrounding tissues. Let your nurse know right away if you feel pain any pain, burning, or warmth during your vinorelbine infusion because they’ll need to stop the infusion right away.
Serious nerve problems
- Risk factors: Nerve pain from other conditions
Vinorelbine might cause damage to the nerves in your fingers and toes. This can lead to numbness, tingling, or pain in your fingers and/or toes. There’s no proven way to prevent this side effect, so it’s important to let your provider know if you feel these symptoms. Depending on how serious your symptoms are, such as if they’re preventing you from doing normal daily activities, your provider might pause or stop vinorelbine to prevent it from getting worse.
Serious lung problems
Though rare, some people taking vinorelbine have experienced serious lung problems like interstitial lung disease (ILD) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Talk to your provider right away if you experience sudden or worsening cough, trouble breathing, fast breathing, fever, or a rattling or clicking sound when you breathe. Your provider might ask you to pause or stop vinorelbine while they figure out the cause.
Harm to unborn baby
Based on animal studies, vinorelbine might harm an unborn baby or raise the risk for miscarriage (pregnancy loss). Because of these risks, if you can get pregnant, you should use birth control while taking vinorelbine and for 6 months after the last dose. Let your provider know right away if you become pregnant while taking vinorelbine. If you’re a male who is sexually active with a partner who’s able to get pregnant, use condoms during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose.
Vinorelbine dosage
The average cost for 8 vials of 1ml of 10mg of Vinorelbine is $46.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 82.56% off the average retail price of $263.69.
Interactions between Vinorelbine and other drugs
Vinorelbine may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Vinorelbine. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
- Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
- Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
- Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Zoster Vaccine, Live
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abametapir
- Adenovirus Vaccine
- Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine, Live
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Cisplatin
- Clarithromycin
- Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine, Live
- Fosnetupitant
- Gefitinib
- Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Netupitant
- Poliovirus Vaccine, Live
- Posaconazole
- Quinupristin
- Smallpox Vaccine
- Typhoid Vaccine, Live
- Voriconazole
- Yellow Fever Vaccine
How much does Vinorelbine cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Vinorelbine (generic)
$26.20
What are alternatives to Vinorelbine?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Vinorelbine. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
