Vinblastine

Mechanism-of-action class: Tubulin Interactions.

• Vinblastine Sulfate Injection is indicated in the palliative treatment of the following: I. Frequently Responsive Malignancies • Generalized Hodgkin’s disease (Stages III and IV, Ann Arbor modification of Rye staging system) • Lymphocytic lymphoma (nodular and diffuse, poorly and well differentiated) • Histiocytic lymphoma • Mycosis fungoides (advanced stages) • Advanced carcinoma of the testis • Kaposi’s sarcoma • Letterer-Siwe disease (histiocytosis X) II.ICD-10: C85.90

• Vinblastine sulfate is contraindicated in patients who have significant granulocytopenia unless this is a result of the disease being treated. It should not be used in the presence of bacterial infections.contraindicated

This preparation is for intravenous use only (see WARNINGS ). Special Dispensing Information - To reduce the potential for fatal medication errors due to incorrect route of administration, vinblastine sulfate injection should be diluted in a flexible plastic container and prominently labeled (as indicated), “FOR INTRAVENOUS USE ONLY – FATAL IF GIVEN BY OTHER ROUTES.” (see WARNINGS ). Preparation for flexible plastic container Vinblastine sulfate injection when diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride injection to concentrations of 0.1 mg/mL to 0.4 mg/mL is stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours when protected from light or 8 hours in normal light. Caution–It is extremely important that the intravenous needle or catheter be properly positioned before any vinblastine sulfate is injected. Leakage into surrounding tissue during intravenous administration of vinblastine sulfate may cause considerable irritation. If extravasation occurs, the injection should be discontinued immediately and any remaining portion of the dose should then be introduced into another vein. Local injection of hyaluronidase and the application of moderate heat to the area of leakage will help disperse the drug and may minimize discomfort and the possibility of cellulitis. There are variations in the depth of the leukopenic response that follows therapy with vinblastine sulfate. For this reason, it is recommended that the drug be given no more frequently than once every seven days .

This preparation is for intravenous use only. It should be administered by individuals experienced in the administration of vinblastine sulfate. The intrathecal administration of vinblastine sulfate usually results in death. To reduce the potential for fatal medication errors due to incorrect route of administration, vinblastine sulfate injection should be diluted in a flexible plastic container and prominently labeled (as indicated) “FOR INTRAVENOUS USE ONLY – FATAL IF GIVEN BY OTHER ROUTES.’’ After inadvertent intrathecal administration of vinca alkaloids, immediate neurosurgical intervention is required in order to prevent ascending paralysis leading to death. In a very small number of patients, life-threatening paralysis and subsequent death was averted but resulted in devastating neurological sequelae, with limited recovery afterwards. There are no published cases of survival following intrathecal administration of vinblastine sulfate to base treatment on. However, based on the published management of survival cases involving the related vinca alkaloid vincristine sulfate 1-3 , if vinblastine sulfate is mistakenly given by the intrathecal route, the following treatment should be initiated immediately after the injection: 1. Removal of as much CSF as is safely possible through the lumbar access. 2. Insertion of an epidural catheter into the subarachnoid space via the intervertebral space above initial lumbar access and CSF irrigation with lactated Ringer’s solution.

Prior to the use of the drug, patients should be advised of the possibility of untoward symptoms . In general, the incidence of adverse reactions attending the use of vinblastine sulfate appears to be related to the size of the dose employed. With the exception of epilation, leukopenia and neurologic side effects, adverse reactions generally have not persisted for longer than 24 hours. Neurologic side effects are not common; but when they do occur, they often last for more than 24 hours. Leukopenia, the most common adverse reaction, is usually the dose-limiting factor. The following are manifestations that have been reported as adverse reactions, in decreasing order of frequency. The most common adverse reactions are underlined: Hematologic - Leukopenia (granulocytopenia), anemia, thrombocytopenia (myelosuppression). Dermatologic - Alopecia is common. A single case of light sensitivity associated with this product has been reported. Gastrointestinal - Constipation , anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, ileus, vesiculation of the mouth, pharyngitis, diarrhea, hemorrhagic enterocolitis, bleeding from an old peptic ulcer and rectal bleeding. Neurologic - Numbness of digits (paresthesias), loss of deep tendon reflexes, peripheral neuritis, mental depression, headache, convulsions. Treatment with vinca alkaloids has resulted rarely in both vestibular and auditory damage to the eighth cranial nerve. Manifestations include partial or total deafness which may be temporary or permanent, and difficulties with balance including dizziness, nystagmus and vertigo.

Usage in Pregnancy Pregnancy Category D - (See WARNINGS ). Vinblastine sulfate should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Animal studies suggest that teratogenic effects may occur.

Signs and Symptoms Side effects following the use of vinblastine sulfate are dose related. Therefore, following administration of more than the recommended dose, patients can be expected to experience these effects in an exaggerated fashion. (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY , CONTRAINDICATIONS , WARNINGS , PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS .) There is no specific antidote. In addition, neurotoxicity similar to that with vincristine sulfate may be observed. Since the major route of excretion may be through the biliary system, toxicity from this drug may be increased when there is hepatic insufficiency. Treatment To obtain up-to-date information about the treatment of overdose, a good resource is your certified Regional Poison Control Center. Telephone numbers of certified poison control centers are listed in the Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR) . In managing overdosage, consider the possibility of multiple drug overdoses, interaction among drugs and unusual drug kinetics in your patient. Overdoses of vinblastine sulfate have been reported rarely. The following is provided to serve as a guide should such an overdose be encountered.

• Apr 29, 1987ANDAANDA089515Fresenius Kabi Usa

1. 1Febrile Neutropenia1678.8%
2. 2Neutropenia1447.6%
3. 3Pyrexia1236.4%
4. 4Nausea864.5%
5. 5Pulmonary Toxicity784.1%
6. 6Vomiting784.1%
7. 7Neutrophil Count Decreased753.9%
8. 8Neuropathy Peripheral743.9%
9. 9Off Label Use743.9%
10. 10Pancytopenia743.9%
11. 11Anaemia703.7%
12. 12White Blood Cell Count Decreased663.5%
13. 13Sepsis643.4%
14. 14Dyspnoea603.1%
15. 15Diarrhoea583.0%

Recent PubMed references pinned to Vinblastine as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

• Effect of Vinblastine Timing on Skin Graft Healing in a Rat Model.
  Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2026 · Tuncer E, Gündeş Alten E, Alten A, et al.
  PMID 42075496DOI 10.3390/medicina62040624
• Vindoline, a vinca alkaloid derived from Catharanthus roseus, targets ABCB1 to overcome docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer.
  Biochemical and biophysical research communications · 2026 · Shao X, Lin R, Yu T, et al.
  PMID 42000630DOI 10.1016/j.bbrc.2026.153767
• Adverse events in small dogs treated with a single dose of vinblastine.
  Journal of veterinary internal medicine · 2026 · Matsuyama F, Harada K, Ichimata M, et al.
  PMID 41910421DOI 10.1093/jvimsj/aalag050
• Rational design of a stable W/O lipid emulsion for enhanced oral delivery of vinblastine.
  Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces · 2026 · An D, Liu C, Liu Y, et al.
  PMID 41797247DOI 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2026.115597
• Comprehensive Review of Analytical Approaches for Vinblastine and Vincristine in Cancer Research.
  Biomedical chromatography : BMC · 2026 · Barzani HAH, Omer RA, Barzani KIS, et al.
  PMID 41327792DOI 10.1002/bmc.70262
• Cytotoxicity of Esculetin Compared with Vinblastine and Paclitaxel in PC-3 Prostate Cancer Cells.
  Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.) · 2025 · García-Pérez AI, Rubio V, Herráez A, et al.
  PMID 41002596DOI 10.3390/curroncol32090526
• Influence of light type, cadmium, and glycine concentration on vinblastine and vincristine production in Catharanthus roseus cell suspension culture with response surface methodology-based optimization of elicitor condition.
  BMC plant biology · 2025 · Tahami SK, Chamani E, Hir YP, et al.
  PMID 40993554DOI 10.1186/s12870-025-07083-8
• Plant Cell Organoids of Catharanthus roseus: A Novel Biotechnological Platform for Vinblastine and Indole-Derived Alkaloids.
  Biotechnology and bioengineering · 2025 · Zavala-Ortiz DA, González-Osorio KJ, Palacios-Perez DL, et al.
  PMID 40891027DOI 10.1002/bit.70053

The 10 most recently updated of 231 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Vinblastine as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

• A Study to Compare Standard Therapy to Treat Hodgkin Lymphoma to the Use of Two Drugs, Brentuximab Vedotin and Nivolumab
  Recruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 1,875 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  NCT05675410updated 2026-06-12
• Testing the Addition of MEDI4736 (Durvalumab) to Chemotherapy Before Surgery for Patients With High-Grade Upper Urinary Tract Cancer
  Recruiting · Phase 2 · Phase 3 · Interventional · 131 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  NCT04628767updated 2026-06-11
• Perioperative Durvalumab With Neoadjuvant ddMVAC or Gemcitabine/Cisplatin in Patients With Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (NIAGARA-2)
  Recruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 150 enrolled · AstraZeneca
  NCT06960577updated 2026-06-11
• Phase 1/2 Study of Mirdametinib + Vinblastine for Newly Diagnosed/Previously Untreated PLGG + Activation of MAPK
  Recruiting · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 50 enrolled · St. Justine's Hospital
  NCT06666348updated 2026-06-11
• Partial Cystectomy & Extended Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection With SOC Perioperative Systemic Therapy
  Recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 40 enrolled · Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
  NCT06290687updated 2026-06-05
• Brentuximab Vedotin Combined With AVD Chemotherapy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Early Stage, Unfavorable Risk Hodgkin Lymphoma
  Completed · Interventional · 118 enrolled · Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  NCT01868451updated 2026-06-04
• Brentuximab Vedotin in Early Stage Hodgkin Lymphoma
  Recruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 1,042 enrolled · University College, London
  NCT04685616updated 2026-06-02
• Immunotherapy (Nivolumab or Brentuximab Vedotin) Plus Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Stage III-IV Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma
  Active not recruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 994 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  NCT03907488updated 2026-06-01
• Nivolumab in Combination With Metronomic Chemotherapy in Paediatrics Refractory / Relapsing Solid Tumors
  Terminated · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 63 enrolled · Centre Oscar Lambret
  NCT03585465updated 2026-05-29
• Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Radiation Therapy in Treating Young Patients With Favorable-Risk Hodgkin Lymphoma
  Active not recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 88 enrolled · St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
  NCT00846742updated 2026-05-26

Frequently asked questions

How does Vinblastine work?

Mechanism-of-action class: Tubulin Interactions.

What is Vinblastine used for?

According to FDA labeling, Vinblastine carries indications including: Vinblastine Sulfate Injection is indicated in the palliative treatment of the following: I. Frequently Responsive Malignancies • Generalized Hodgkin’s disease (Stages III and IV, Ann Arbor modification of Rye staging system) • Lymphocytic lymphoma (nodular and diffuse, poorly and well differentiated) • Histiocytic lymphoma • Mycosis fungoides (advanced stages) • Advanced carcinoma of the testis • Kaposi’s sarcoma • Letterer-Siwe disease (histiocytosis X) II.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

What class of drug is Vinblastine?

Vinblastine is classified as Vinca alkaloids and analogues, Vinca Alkaloid, Tubulin Interactions, Cellular Growth Phase Arrest, Decreased Mitosis, Increased Cellular Death.

What are the contraindications for Vinblastine?

Vinblastine labeling lists contraindications including: Vinblastine sulfate is contraindicated in patients who have significant granulocytopenia unless this is a result of the disease being treated. It should not be used in the presence of bacterial infections.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.