Parenteral Manual

VinBLAStine

Disclaimer: Official controlled document is the CHEO online copy. It is the responsibility of user to ensure that any paper copy version is the same as the online version before use.

Alternate Name(s): 
VELBE®, VBL
Classification: 
Antineoplastic, vinca alkaloid - CYTOTOXIC
Original Date: 
August 2005
Revised Date: 
August 2024
Indications: 
  • Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas
  • Germ cell tumors
  • Langerhan's cell histiocytosis

THIS MEDICATION IS TO BE ADMINISTERED BY A CHEMO-TRAINED NURSE. IF THE NURSE IS NOT CHEMO-TRAINED, THEY ARE TO CONTACT THE UNIT NURSE EDUCATOR OR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE.

Reconstitution and Stability: 
  • Available as a 1 mg/mL solution. Refrigerate unopened vial. Protect from light.
  • Diluted solutions stable 48 hours room temperature or 14 days refrigerated
Compatibility: 

- Solutions Compatible: D5W, NS

Incompatible: heparin

Administration: 

(For approved routes of administration by nursing personnel, refer to Policy for the Administration of Intravenous Medications.)

SC NO
IM NO
IV Push YES, certified RN only
Usual dilution: undiluted (1 mg/mL) into tubing of running IV
Infusion time: 1 minute
IV Intermittent Infusion YES
Usual dilution: in 25 mL compatible solution
Infusion time: 10-15 minutes
IV Continuous Infusion NO
Intrathecal Injection ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATION; WILL RESULT IN FATALITY
Dosage: 

(For neonatal dosages, refer to Neonatal IV Drug Manual.)

  • Hodgkin's: 6 mg/m2 days 15, 22 of a 28 day cycle (ABV)
  • Langerhan's Cell Histiocytosis - 6 mg/m2 q week up to 12 weeks.
  • See individual protocols for dosage reduction in myelosuppression
  • Dosage in children <3 years or <0.6m2 should be on a mg/kg basis (to get mg/kg amount divide m2 amount by 30)

** Dosage may differ according to protocol

 

Potential hazards of parenteral administration: 

Immediate (within a few minutes to hours):                                

  • Nausea, vomiting (mild to moderate emetogenic potential)
  • Diarrhea
  • Phlebitis

VESICANT: extreme irritation with extravasation. If extravasation occurs, see Treatment of Infiltrated Vesicant or Irritant Drugs Guidelines on CHEOnet.​  

Delayed (within a few days to weeks):

  • Bone marrow depression (nadir: 4-10 days)
  • Neurotoxicity (less than with vincristine) - numbness, paresthesia, peripheral neuritis, headache, dizziness, constipation
  • Pain at tumor site
  • SIADH (rare)

 - Treatment for unusual side effects are available through the study chair identified on the front page of the protocol and/or pharmacy

Notes: 
  • Monitor bowel function, give stool softener prophylactically
  • Hematological status must be monitored
  • Intrathecal administration is FATAL

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