Halaven

Generic Name: eribulin (e RIB ue lin)
Brand Names: Halaven

What is Halaven?

Halaven (eribulin) is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Halaven is used to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Halaven is usually given after at least 2 other combinations of chemotherapy medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Halaven is also used to treat a type of soft tissue sarcoma called liposarcoma that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body.

Important information

Do not use Halaven if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.

Before you receive Halaven, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, congestive heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder, a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome, or an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).

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Halaven can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, cough, pain or burning when you urinate).

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect while taking Halaven such as fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, mouth sores, pain or burning when you urinate, pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, fast or uneven heart rate, severe numbness or tingling in your hands and feet, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Halaven if you are allergic to eribulin.

To make sure Halaven is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

liver disease;

kidney disease;

heart disease;

peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud's syndrome;

personal or family history of long QT syndrome; or

an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).

Do not use Halaven if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while using Halaven, and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

If a man fathers a baby while using eribulin, the baby may have birth defects. Use condoms to prevent pregnancy during your treatment, and for at least 14 weeks (3.5 months) after your last dose.

It is not known whether eribulin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Halaven.

How is Halaven given?

Halaven is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Halaven is usually given once per week for 2 weeks in a row, on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day treatment cycle. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with this medicine.

Halaven can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.

Your heart function may also need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Halaven dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Halaven for Breast Cancer:

1.4 mg/m2 IV over 2 to 5 minutes on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle

Comments:

-This drug should be administered under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the appropriate use of cytotoxic medicinal products.

-Patients may experience nausea or vomiting. Antiemetic prophylaxis including corticosteroids should be considered.

-Peripheral neuropathy should be assessed and complete blood cell counts should be obtained prior to each dose.

Use: For the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer who have previously received at least 2 chemotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of metastatic disease. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting.

See also: Dosage Information (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Halaven injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while receiving Halaven?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Eribulin can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.

Halaven side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Halaven: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

chest pain, severe dizziness, fast or pounding heartbeats;

numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet;

pain or burning when you urinate;

low potassium - confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling;

signs of infection - fever, chills, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, cough, trouble breathing, pale skin, easy bruising; or

severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common Halaven side effects may include:

nausea, constipation;

hair loss; or

feeling tired or weak.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Halaven?

Other drugs may interact with eribulin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.