eribulin at a glance
Medicine class
Microtubule dynamics inhibitor and cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Licensed uses
Certain locally advanced or metastatic breast cancers and unresectable advanced or metastatic liposarcoma in adults after specified previous therapies.
Administration
Given into a vein by a healthcare professional experienced in anti-cancer treatment.
Key checks
Blood counts and treatment toxicity are assessed before administration; further monitoring depends on individual risks.
What is eribulin used for?
Licensed for adults with:
Locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer that has progressed after previous chemotherapy for advanced disease; prior treatment should have included an anthracycline and a taxane unless unsuitable.
Unresectable liposarcoma after previous anthracycline-containing treatment for advanced or metastatic disease, unless an anthracycline was unsuitable.
How does eribulin work?
Eribulin binds to tubulin and prevents microtubules from growing normally. This disrupts cell division and can lead to cancer-cell death.
eribulin preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 0.44 mg/mL
How to take eribulin
Eribulin is administered intravenously by trained healthcare staff and is not taken at home. Food does not affect administration. The ready-to-use solution may be given as supplied or diluted in sodium chloride solution; it must not be diluted with glucose solution.
Attend arranged blood tests and treatment assessments.
Immediately report fever, infection symptoms, numbness, tingling, weakness, dizziness or new heart symptoms.
Do not drive or operate machinery if treatment makes you tired or dizzy.
eribulin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Low white or red blood-cell counts
- Tiredness or weakness
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea
- Reduced appetite
- Hair loss
- Numbness, tingling or nerve pain in the hands or feet
- Headache
- Fever
- Muscle, joint, back or limb pain
- Cough or breathlessness
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever or other infection symptoms, particularly with a low white-cell count
- Sepsis, including confusion, rapid breathing, racing heartbeat or cold and mottled skin
- Severe allergic reaction with swelling or breathing difficulty
- Severe blistering or peeling skin rash
- Sudden breathlessness or chest pain suggesting a blood clot
- Severe or worsening peripheral neuropathy
- Possible heart-rhythm disturbance, especially with relevant cardiac or electrolyte risks
eribulin in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are lacking, and animal studies indicate potential fetal harm. Eribulin should be used during pregnancy only when a specialist considers it clearly necessary. Highly effective contraception is required during treatment and for 7 months afterwards for women who could become pregnant. Men with partners who could become pregnant require effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months afterwards.
eribulin while breastfeeding
Eribulin must not be used while breastfeeding because transfer into milk is unknown and risk to the infant cannot be excluded. Discuss feeding options with the relevant care teams.
eribulin interactions
A complete review of prescribed, non-prescribed and herbal products is required.
Medicines that prolong the QT interval, including class Ia and III antiarrhythmics
Combined use may increase heart-rhythm concerns; ECG and electrolyte monitoring may be appropriate in at-risk patients.
Narrow-therapeutic-index CYP3A4 substrates, including ciclosporin, fentanyl, quinidine, sirolimus and tacrolimus
Eribulin is a mild CYP3A4 inhibitor in laboratory studies, so monitor for adverse effects from the accompanying medicine.
Ketoconazole and rifampicin
Studies found no meaningful change in eribulin exposure, although all concurrent treatment should still be reviewed.
Common questions about eribulin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is eribulin chemotherapy?
Yes. It is cytotoxic chemotherapy that inhibits microtubule dynamics needed for cell division.
Is eribulin taken as tablets?
No. Qualified healthcare staff administer it into a vein.
Why are blood tests needed?
Eribulin can suppress bone marrow and lower white cells, red cells and platelets. Tests help determine whether administration can proceed safely.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.