Indication: For treatment of breast cancer, testicular cancer, lymphomas, neuroblastoma, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, mycosis fungoides, histiocytosis, and Kaposi's sarcoma.
Pharmacology: Vinblastine is a vinca alkaloid antineoplastic agent. The vinca alkaloids are structurally similar compounds comprised of 2 multiringed units: vindoline and catharanthine. The vinca alkaloids have become clinically useful since the discovery of their antitumour properties in 1959. Initially, extracts of the periwinkle plant (Catharanthus roseus) were investigated because of putative hypoglycemic properties, but were noted to cause marrow suppression in rats and antileukemic effects in vitro. Vinblastine has some immunosuppressant effect. The vinca alkaloids are considered to be cell cycle phase-specific.
Mechanism Of Action: The antitumor activity of vinblastine is thought to be due primarily to inhibition of mitosis at metaphase through its interaction with tubulin. Vinblastine binds to the microtubular proteins of the mitotic spindle, leading to crystallization of the microtubule and mitotic arrest or cell death.
Drug Category: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; ATC:L01CA01
Dosage Forms: LIQUID; POWDER FOR SOLUTION; SOLUTION
Absorption: Not Available
Interactions:
DrugBank: Interactions for Vinblastine
Interactions for Vinblastine:
Vinblastine sulfate should not be diluted with solvents that raise or lower the pH of the resulting solution from
between 3.5 and 5. Solutions should be made with normal saline (with or without preservative) and should not be
combined in the same container with any other chemical. Unused portions of the remaining solutions that do not
contain preservatives should be discarded immediately.
The simultaneous oral or intravenous administration of phenytoin and antineoplastic chemotherapy combinations that
included vinblastine sulfate has been reported to have reduced blood levels of the anticonvulsant and to have
increased seizure activity. Dosage adjustment should be based on serial blood level monitoring. The contribution of
vinblastine sulfate to this interaction is not certain. The interaction may result from either reduced absorption of
phenytoin or an increase in the rate of its metabolism and elimination.
Caution should be exercised in patients concurrently taking drugs known to inhibit drug metabolism by hepatic
cytochrome P450 isoenzymes in the CYP 3A subfamily, or in patients with hepatic dysfunction. Concurrent
administration of vinblastine sulfate with an inhibitor of this metabolic pathway (such as erythromycin, doxorubicin,
or etoposide) may cause an earlier onset and/or an increased severity of side effects.
Chemical IUPAC Name: Not Available
Chemical Formula: C46H58N4O9
Half Life: Triphasic: 35 min, 53 min, and 19 hours
