This patient-friendly article is about chemotherapy drug, Vinorelbine (Navelbine) which is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer and breast cancer. It may also be used to treat Ovarian cancer and Hodgkin’s disease. It is available as 20 mg or 30 mg capsules which can be swallowed with cold water, or as a colourless liquid which is given through a drip.
The drug can interfere with the menstrual cycle in women, and lower sperm count in men. Of particluar note is that it can harm a foetus.
You should tell your Doctor if you have ever had any liver disease.
It can cause a severe reduction in the number of blood cells in your bone marrow.
Side effects can include: lowered resistance to infection, bruising and bleeding, anaemia, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, peripheral neuropathy, fatigue and pain at the site of the injection. It may also cause ’leaking veins’ and hair loss.
Go to: 10 ways to improve your chemotherapy success and reduce side-effects
Other articles that you may find interesting are:
- A diet for Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy overview
- A to Z Guide to Complementary Therapies
Go to: Return to the CANCERactive drug list