Vinblastine (Velban) Side Effects and Patient Stories
Explore a full list of our patient experiences with vinblastine (Velban).
Vinblastine is a chemotherapy drug used to treat a range of cancers, including breast cancer, testicular cancer, Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, and Kaposi’s sarcoma1.
Patient Stories with Vinblastine (Velban)
Ashley W., Desmoid Tumor
“Methotrexate, vinblastine, navelbine were every Thursday. That entire process probably took about ten hours every Thursday, but the actual infusions themselves I would say took on average two hours.
With the first time, I remember feeling very strange when I left, but I wasn’t nauseous and I wasn’t feeling bad. In the middle of the night, so maybe eight hours later, I was very, very sick. I have always described it to people as a mixture of being very, very drunk and having food poisoning at the same time.”
Madi J., Hodgkin Lymphoma
“Once I got to the vinblastine, I was just so exhausted. I pretty much slept through that and had the dacarbazine. That was light-sensitive, and it was wintertime thankfully, but any time I would go out in the sun, it was so sensitive. I had to wear long sleeves and hats.”
Mara T., Stage 2BX (Bulky)
1st Symptoms: Shortness of breath, back pains, daily migraines
Treatment: 3 rounds of ABVD, 3 rounds AVD, Radiation
Topics: Self-advocacy, mental health
...
Erica H., Hodgkin's, Stage 3B
Cancer details: Staged at 3B
1st Symptoms: Intense itchiness, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss
Treatment:ABVD chemotherapy, 6 cycles (12 infusions)
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Alicia B., Desmoid Tumor, Stage 4
Cancer details: Rare, <3% of all soft tissue tumors, more common in women
1st Symptoms: lump found in right armpit
Treatment: Chemo, radiation, targeted therapy, clinical trials, surgery, including forequarter amputation
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Ashley W., Desmoid Tumor
Cancer details: Rare, <3% of all soft tissue tumors, more common in women
1st Symptoms: leg tightness, increased swelling in leg
Treatment: Chemo infusion (Methotrexate, Navelbene), oral chemo (Nexovar)
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Lia S., Nodular Sclerosis, Stage 4A
Symptom: Extreme lower back pain
Treatment: ABVD chemotherapy
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Vinblastine General Information
Cancers Treated
Vinblastine, brand name Velban, works by slowing or outright halting the growth of cancer cells in your body. It is used with other drugs in chemotherapy treatment, most commonly for the treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and testicular cancer2.
Vinblastine is also used for other cancers like breast cancer, bladder cancer, some lung cancer types, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and some brain tumors.
Side Effects
Some of the more commonly reported side effects of vinblastine include2:
- constipation
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite or weight
- stomach pain
- diarrhea
- headache
- dizziness
- jaw pain, bone pain, and other aches
- hair loss
There are some side effects that are more serious. If you experience any of them, make sure to inform and alert your medical care team. Those include:
- fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- sores in the mouth
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- pain, numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
- difficulty walking or unsteady walking
- difficulty breathing
- hearing loss
- seizures
- chest pain
References
- Compound Summary: Vinblastine. PubChem, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 02 Jan 2021, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Vinblastine.
- Vinblastine. MedLinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 June 2013, https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682848.html