Halaven

1 What is Halaven?

Brand: Halaven

Generic: Eribulin

Halaven is an antineoplastic drug for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. This drug inhibits the growth phase of microtubules in cancer cells resulting to their destruction.

Side effects may occur since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by this drug. Report any side effects to your healthcare professional immediately.

Some of the unwanted effects may have delayed onset. Discuss with your healthcare professional about the risks and benefits of this drug. This drug is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your healthcare professional.

2 What To Know Before Using

Before using Halaven, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

Inform your healthcare provider for any allergic reactions to these drugs or any other drugs, foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. Carefully read the label of non-prescription drugs for any possible allergic reaction or contraindications.

Studies in children regarding the correlation of age to the effects of Eribulin injection have not been performed while safety and efficacy have not been established. Studies in the elderly have not reported any geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Eribulin injection.

Risks to fetuses have been reported with the use of this drug but this may be outweighed by the benefits of therapy in a life threatening situation or a serious disease.

Infant risk is still undetermined when taking this drug during breastfeeding. Discuss with your healthcare professional about the risks and benefits of this drug before breastfeeding.

Drugs should not be taken together to prevent any interactions but in necessary cases, inquire with your healthcare provider regarding the adjustments in dosage or any other necessary precautions to prevent any unwanted side effects.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other drugs such as:

  • Amifampridine
  • Bepridil
  • Cisapride
  • Dronedarone
  • Mesoridazine
  • Pimozide
  • Piperaquine
  • Saquinavir
  • Sparfloxacin
  • Terfenadine
  • Thioridazine
  • Ziprasidone
  • Amiodarone
  • Anagrelide
  • Aripiprazole
  • Arsenic Trioxide
  • Buserelin
  • Clarithromycin
  • Crizotinib
  • Dabrafenib
  • Degarelix
  • Delamanid
  • Deslorelin
  • Domperidone
  • Donepezil
  • Escitalopram
  • Fluoxetine
  • Gonadorelin
  • Goserelin
  • Histrelin
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Ivabradine
  • Ketoconazole
  • Leuprolide
  • Levofloxacin
  • Metronidazole
  • Moxifloxacin
  • Nafarelin
  • Ondansetron
  • Panobinostat
  • Pasireotide
  • Pazopanib
  • Quetiapine
  • Sevoflurane
  • Tacrolimus
  • Triptorelin
  • Vandetanib
  • Vemurafenib
  • or Vinflunine

Intake of specific food or using alcohol or tobacco with this drug is associated with an increased risk of certain side effects. Your healthcare professional can give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Inform your healthcare provider for any other medical problems such as:

  • Blood or bone marrow
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Heart rhythm problems
  • Mineral imbalance
  • Nerve problems
  • Kidney or liver diseases

3 Proper Usage

Proper usage of Halaven requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders.

A trained health professional will be the only one allowed to give you this drug in a hospital or cancer treatment center. This drug is administered intravenously through a needle placed in one of your veins.

This drug is usually given on Day 1 and Day 8 of a 21-day cycle of treatment. This 2-day treatment is given again every 21 days until your body responds to the drug or you and your healthcare professional decide to stop the treatment.

Each treatment usually takes about 2 to 5 minutes. Consult with your healthcare professional for any concerns.

4 Precautions To Take

Before using Halaven, there are some precautions you must take.

Regular visits should be made to your healthcare provider to track your progress and to monitor the effectiveness of the drug. Unwanted effects can be screened using blood tests. This drug has teratogenic potential and is contraindicated in pregnancy. Birth control should be practiced to prevent the occurrence of pregnany.

Inform your healthcare provider immediately if you think you have become pregnant while taking this drug. This drug may lower the number of white blood cells and platelets in your body and it is recommended to take precautionary measures against infections and/or bleeding such as proper hygiene and avoiding unusual or harsh contact or movements.

Seek advice from your healthcare professional immediately if you experience symptoms of peripheral neuropathy such as having burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations in the arms, hands, legs, or feet.

This drug can cause QT prolongation which may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects in some patients. Immediately report any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeats to your healthcare professional.

Consult with your healthcare professional before taking any other prescription or non-prescription drugs, and herbal or vitamin supplements.

5 Potential Side Effects

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Halaven.

Side effects may vary for each individual and prompt medical attention should be given if they occur. Seek advice from your healthcare professional immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms such as:

  • Black, tarry stools
  • Bladder pain
  • Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
  • Bloody or cloudy urine
  • Body aches or pain
  • Burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
  • Chills
  • Convulsions
  • Cough
  • Decreased urine
  • Decreased weight
  • Difficult or labored breathing
  • Difficult, burning, or painful urination
  • Dry mouth
  • Ear congestion
  • Fever
  • Frequent urge to urinate
  • Headache
  • Increased thirst
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Loss of appetite
  • Loss of voice
  • Lower back or side pain
  • Mood changes
  • Muscle pain or cramps
  • Nasal congestion
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
  • Pale skin
  • Rapid weight gain
  • Runny nose
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sneezing
  • Sore throat
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Troubled breathing with exertion
  • Ulcers
  • Sores, or white spots in the mouth
  • Unsteadiness or awkwardness
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness
  • Unusual weight gain or loss
  • Weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
  • Wheezing
  • Fainting
  • or Irregular heartbeat

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine, the side effects will slowly disappear. Ask your healthcare professional about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

If any of the following side effects persists, or are inconvenient, or if you notice any other effects, or if you have any questions about them, consult with your health care professional. Report any side effects to the FDA hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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