What it is used for

Velbe is indicated in the treatment of the following: Frequently responsive Malignancies: Generalised Hodgkin's disease (Stage 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. Less Frequently Responsive Malignancies:Choriocarcinoma resistant to other chemotherapeutic agents; carcinoma of the breast, unresponsive to appropriate endocrine surgery and hormonal therapy. Current principles of chemotherapy for many types of cancer include the concurrent administration of several antineoplastic agents. For enhanced therapeutic effect without additive toxicity, agents with different dose-limiting clinical toxicities and different mechanisms of action are generally selected. Therefore, although Velbe is effective as a single agent in the aforementioned indications, it is usually administered in combination with other antineoplastic drugs. Such combination therapy produces a greater percentage of response than does a single-agent regimen. These principles have been applied, for example, in the chemotherapy of Hodgkin's disease. Hodgkin's disease: Velbe has been shown to be one of the most effective single agents for the treatment of Hodgkin's disease. Advanced Hodgkin's disease has also been successfully treated with several multiple-drug regimens that included Velbe. Patients who had relapse after treatment with MOPP programme mechlorethamine hydrochloride ( nitrogen mustard), vincristine sulfate ( Oncovin[vincristine sulfate, Lilly]), prednisone, and procarbazine-have likewise responded to combination-drug therapy that included Velbe. A protocol using cyclophosphamide in place of nitrogen mustard and Velbe instead of Oncovin is an alternative therapy for previously untreated patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease. Advanced testicular germinal cell cancers (embryonal carcinoma, teratocarcinoma, and choriocarcinoma) are sensitive to Velbe alone, but better clinical results are achieved when Velbe is administered concomitantly with other antineoplastic agents. The effect of bleomycin is significantly enhanced if Velbe is administered 6 to 8 hours prior to the administration of bleomycin; this schedule permits more cells to be arrested during metaphase, the stage of the cell cycle in which bleomycin is active.

How to take it

The way to take this medicine is: Intravenous. This medicine or fluids is given through a needle or tube (catheter) inserted into a vein.

You should seek medical advice in relation to medicines and use only as directed by a healthcare professional.

Always read the label. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional.

Visual appearance

A white to off_white lyophilised plug

Do I need a prescription?

This medicine is available from a pharmacist and requires a prescription. It is Schedule 4 : Prescription Only Medicine. open tool tip to find out more

Pregnant or planning a pregnancy?

For the active ingredient vinblastine

You should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist about taking this medicine. They can help you balance the risks and the benefits of this medicine during pregnancy.