Eribulin
About Eribulin
Eribulin belongs to a group of medicines known as 'anti-cancer' used to treat various cancers, including breast and liposarcoma. Cancer is a condition where cells in a specific body part grow and reproduce uncontrollably. Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts. A liposarcoma is a rare cancer that develops in your fatty tissue.
Eribulin contains Eribulin, which works by stopping the cancer cells from separating into two new cells. So, it blocks the growth of the cancer.
Eribulin should be administered to patients only in a hospital setting under the supervision of a physician qualified by training and experience to administer cancer chemotherapeutic agents. The most common adverse reactions that occur while on therapy are neutropenia (lower-than-normal levels of neutrophils), anaemia (lack of blood), asthenia (weakness), fatigue(tiredness), alopecia (hair loss), peripheral neuropathy (Weakness, numbness, and pain from nerve damage), nausea, and constipation. Most of these side effects of Eribulin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, contact your doctor.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Eribulin for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Do not stop using the Eribulin midway. It is expected to cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman, so it should not be used in pregnant women. Both women and men using this Eribulin should use birth control to avoid pregnancy. Discontinue nursing while on therapy, considering the importance of the drug to the mother. Caution should be exercised while using Eribulin in patients with hepatic, renal, heart dysfunction and or Neutropenia (Lower-than-normal levels of neutrophils), so inform your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications you are currently taking.
Uses of Eribulin
Medicinal Benefits
Eribulin contains Eribulin, which belongs to a group of medicines known as 'anti-cancer' used to treat various types of cancers, including breast and liposarcoma. It works by stopping the cancer cells from separating into two new cells. So, it blocks the growth of the cancer.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Eribulin
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Being sick
- Feeling tired or weak (fatigue)
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Headaches
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Pain in different parts of your body
- Neutropenia (lower-than-normal levels of neutrophils)
- Anemia (lack of blood)
- Asthenia (weakness)
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- Peripheral neuropathy (weakness, numbness, and pain from nerve damage)
Drug Warnings
Before taking the Eribulin, let your doctor know about all your allergic or hypersensitivity reactions to medicines or food. Before taking Eribulin, inform your doctor about your medical history and other medications you are currently taking in order to rule out any potential negative effects. Eribulin may cause permanent fertility problems in men if they take it. Please discuss this with their doctor before starting treatment. Women of childbearing age should use effective contraception during and up to 3 months after treatment with Eribulin. Avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages and grapefruit juices.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Eribulin interacts with medicines used for irregular heartbeat (e.g. amiodarone), immunomodulatory medication (e.g. baricitinib, fingolimod), vaccinations (e.g. BCG Vaccine, mumps virus vaccine, rotavirus vaccine), antidepression medication (e.g. citalopram), antipsychotic medications (e.g. Clozapine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Do not drink grapefruit juice or alcoholic beverages while you are being treated with Eribulin. It can affect the way the medicine works.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Eribulin may potentially interact with various disease conditions, including infections (bacterial/fungal/protozoal/viral), severe hepatic and renal impairment and congenital long QT syndrome.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption while on treatment with Eribulin.
Pregnancy
unsafeEribulin should not be used during pregnancy because it can harm your fetus (newborn baby).
Breast Feeding
unsafeDo not breastfeed during this treatment because the medicine may pass into your milk. Doctors normally advise against breastfeeding throughout this treatment and for a certain period of time after the final medication is taken.
Driving
cautionEribulin may cause side effects such as tiredness and dizziness. Do not drive or use machines if you feel tired or dizzy.
Liver
cautionA lower starting dose is recommended for patients with mild (Child-Pugh A) and moderate (ChildPugh B) liver impairment. There is no information available on patients with severe liver impairment.
Kidney
cautionA lower starting dose is recommended for patients with moderate (CrCl 30-50 mL/min) kidney impairment. There is no information available on patients with severe kidney impairment.
Children
unsafeDo not use this medicine for children between 0 to 18 years old.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath or listening to soothing music.
- Performing yoga may also help in improving both physical and mental health.
- Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain proper weight.
- Include leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, fatty fish, berries, yoghurt, apples, peaches, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beans, and herbs.
- Get optimal sleep; rest well.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Avoid fast food, fried food, processed meats, refined carbs and added sugars.
Special Advise
- Pregnancy testing is recommended for females of reproductive potential prior to initiating treatment with Eribulin.
- Eribulin should be taken under strict medical supervision. The doctor will regularly monitor your condition while taking Eribulin.
- Your doctor may get routine blood tests done to monitor your liver function, electrolyte levels, and blood cell count in your blood.
- Peripheral blood counts should be frequently monitored during Eribulin treatment and, when appropriate, until recovery is achieved.
- Do not donate sperm during treatment with Eribulin and for three months after your last dose.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cancer: Cancer is a condition where cells in a specific body part grow and reproduce uncontrollably. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissue, including organs. Cancer sometimes begins in one body part before spreading to other areas.
Breast cancer: It is a type of cancer that develops in breast cells stimulated by a female sex hormone called estrogen. Breast cancer may form in lobules (glands that produce milk), ducts of the breast (the pathway that brings milk from glands to the nipple), and the fatty tissue or the fibrous connective tissue within the breast. The tumour cells invade other healthy breast cells and travel to lymph nodes, a primary pathway for the cancer cells to move to other body parts. Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast or tissue thickening, which feels different than the normal surrounding tissues, breast pain, redness, swelling, and nipple discharge other than breast milk.
Liposarcoma: Liposarcoma is a rare tumour derived from fat tissue that occurs in the “soft tissues” of the body (soft tissue sarcoma). It is classified as a cancer (malignant) because of its potential to recur locally and spread to other areas of the body. The severity of the disease depends on the subtype of the liposarcoma and the presenting stage of the primary tumour. It can arise in various locations throughout the body, although it is most frequently found in the extremities, particularly in the thigh.
FAQs
Eribulin contains Eribulin, an anti-cancer medication that is used to treat several types of cancers, such as breast cancer and liposarcoma. It works by preventing the cancer cells from dividing into two new cells. As a result, it prevents cancer from spreading.
It is recommended not to be used in the population who are allergic to Eribulin or any other ingredients in this medication, is a pregnant woman, has too low blood cell counts, or suffers from severe liver or hepatic impairment.
Yes, Eribulin can cause low neutrophils levels, a type of white blood cells that help fight infections. Your doctor will monitor peripheral blood cell counts and adjust the dose as appropriate.
Inform your doctor before receiving the Eribulin if you suffer from QT Prolongation. Your doctor will monitor for prolonged QT intervals in patients with congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, and electrolyte abnormalities. It is recommended not to be used in patients with congenital long QT syndrome.
Eribulin may cause permanent fertility problems in men if they take it. Please discuss this with their doctor before starting treatment.
