Vinorelbine and venous irritation

optimal parenteral administration

de Lemos, Mário L M.Sc. (Clin Pharm), PharmD

Provincial Systemic Therapy Program, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice 11(2):p 79-81, June 2005. | DOI: 10.1191/1078155205jp146oa

Vinorelbine is a vesicant associated with extra-vasation hazards and injection site reactions, which can be alleviated by shortening of infusion time and flushing of intravenous fluid. A critical review of the current evidence showed that the optimal administration is to flush ≥75-124 mL of intravenous fluid after vinorelbine infusion. In travenous push administration over 1-2 min does not seem to offer significant improvement over rapid intravenous infusion over 6-10 min.