Therapeutic Category
- Antineoplastic Agent, Antimicrotubular
- Antineoplastic Agent, Mitotic Inhibitor
- Antineoplastic Agent, Vinca Alkaloid
Medication Safety Issues
VinBLAStine may be confused with vinCRIStine, vinorelbine
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) includes this medication among its list of drug classes (chemotherapeutic agent, parenteral and oral) which have a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when used in error (High-Alert Medications in Acute Care, Community/Ambulatory Care, and Long-Term Care Settings).
Vinblastine is for IV administration only. Fatal if administered by other routes. To prevent fatal inadvertent intrathecal injection, the ISMP strongly recommends that vinblastine doses be dispensed in a small minibag (25 to 50 mL of a compatible solution), and NOT a syringe (ISMP 2020). Vinblastine should NOT be prepared during the preparation of any medications intended for CNS administration. After preparation, keep vinblastine in a location away from the separate storage location recommended for medications intended for CNS administration. Vinblastine should NOT be delivered to the patient at the same time with any medications intended for CNS administration.
