Marqibo (vincristine liposome) is cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body.
Marqibo is used to treat a type of blood cancer called Philadelphia chromosome negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It is usually given after at least two other cancer medications have been tried without success.
Marqibo may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not use Marqibo if you have Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome or other conditions that cause damage to myelin (protective covering of the nerves in your brain and spinal cord).
Before receiving Marqibo
You should not use Marqibo if you are allergic to vincristine, or if you have Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome or other conditions that cause damage to myelin (protective covering of the nerves in your brain and spinal cord).
To make sure Marqibo is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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liver disease;
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a nerve-muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis, ALS (Lou Gehrig"s disease), multiple sclerosis, or muscular dystrophy;
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peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud"s syndrome;
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a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus;
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coronary artery disease.
FDA pregnancy category D. Marqibo can cause harm to an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Before you receive Marqibo, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy during your treatment with Marqibo. Follow your doctor"s instructions about how long to prevent pregnancy after your treatment ends.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
Vincristine liposome can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
How is Marqibo given?
Marqibo is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion.
Marqibo can cause severe constipation. You may be given medication to prevent constipation while you are receiving this medicine. Use all medications as directed by your doctor.
Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when the medicine is injected.
Marqibo 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.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Marqibo 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?
Marqibo may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Marqibo, or you could develop a serious infection. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.
Vincristine can pass into body fluids (including urine, feces, vomit, semen, vaginal fluid). 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. Patients and caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up 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.
Body fluids should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. Use condoms during sexual activity to avoid exposure to body fluids.
Marqibo side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Marqibo: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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severe constipation, severe cramps;
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pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, feeling very weak or tired;
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numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet;
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fever, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing;
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easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
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lower back pain, blood in your urine, little or no urinating;
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tingly feeling around your mouth, muscle weakness, tightness, or contraction, overactive reflexes;
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fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse, confusion, fainting; or
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nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common Marqibo side effects may include:
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)
Marqibo dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia:
2.25 mg/m2 intravenously over 1 hour every 7 days.
What other drugs will affect Marqibo?
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Marqibo, especially:
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clozapine, conivaptan, deferiprone, natalizumab, nefazodone; or
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an antibiotic--clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin; antifungal medication--itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole; HIV/AIDS medication--atazanavir, delavirdine, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir; hepatitis C medications--boceprevir, telaprevir.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with Marqibo, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
