Navelbine

Generic Name: Vinorelbine tartrate
Product Name: Navelbine

Indication

Navelbine is used in the treatment of advanced breast cancer after other therapies have failed. It can also be used as a first line treatment for small cell lung cancer, alone or as part of a chemotherapy regime.

Action

Vinorelbine is an antineoplastic agent known as a vinca alkaloid. It prevents the production of microtubules, which are vital in the physical separation of cells during cell division. Without microtubules, cell division cannot occur and the cell dies.

Dose advice

Navelbine is for intravenous injection ONLY. Care must be taken to prevent extravasation.

Single agent:

25-30mg/m2 weekly.

In combination:

25-30mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 or days 1 and 5 three weekly.

Administration:

Dilute appropriate dose in 50ml normal saline and administer by slow bolus injection; or Dilute in 125ml normal saline and administer as infusion over 20-30 minutes.
Either way, use at least 250ml normal saline to flush the vein immediately after administration.

Dose adjustments:

Dose reduction is required depending on neutrophil count on the day of administration.
For patients who develop hepatic insufficiency during the course of treatment, dosage adjustments should be made based on total bilirubin.

Schedule

Schedule 4

Common side effects

The most common and dose limiting effect of Navelbine is neutropaenia (decreased numbers of white blood cells), which increases the risk of infection.

Decreased numbers of red blood cells (anaemia) and platelets (increased bleeding risk) also occur.

Other adverse effects include: