Eribulin mesilate at a glance
Medicine class
Microtubule-inhibiting cytotoxic chemotherapy
Licensed uses
Certain previously treated advanced breast cancers and unresectable advanced or metastatic liposarcoma in adults
Administration
Given into a vein by a suitably qualified healthcare professional
Key monitoring
Blood counts, neuropathy, liver and kidney function, and cardiac risk and electrolytes where relevant
What is Eribulin mesilate used for?
UK-licensed uses in adults are:
Locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer that has progressed after at least one chemotherapy regimen for advanced disease; previous therapy should normally 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 mesilate work?
Eribulin binds to tubulin and blocks microtubule growth. This prevents formation of a functioning mitotic spindle, stops dividing cells and can lead to cancer-cell death.
Eribulin mesilate preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 0.44 mg/mL
How to take Eribulin mesilate
Eribulin is prepared and given intravenously by trained cancer-care staff; it is not taken at home. It may be given undiluted or diluted with sodium chloride solution, and the intravenous line may be flushed afterwards. It must not be diluted with glucose solution or mixed with other medicines unless compatibility is established.
Tell the team about infection symptoms, numbness, tingling, weakness, heart problems and all medicines before treatment.
Food does not affect administration because eribulin is given intravenously.
Do not drive or operate machinery if treatment makes you tired or dizzy.
Eribulin mesilate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Low white or red blood-cell counts
- Tiredness or weakness
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea
- Numbness, tingling or prickling sensations
- Fever
- Reduced appetite or weight loss
- Breathlessness or cough
- Joint, muscle or back pain
- Headache
- Hair loss
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever, chills, infection symptoms or sudden illness, which may indicate neutropenic infection or sepsis
- Breathing difficulty or swelling of the face, mouth, tongue or throat, suggesting a serious allergic reaction
- A blistering rash involving the skin or mucous membranes
- New or worsening numbness, tingling or muscle weakness requiring prompt assessment
- Unusual bleeding or bruising, severe breathlessness or marked weakness
Eribulin mesilate in pregnancy
Eribulin can harm an unborn baby and should generally be avoided during pregnancy unless specialist assessment finds it clearly necessary. People who could become pregnant, or make a partner pregnant, should discuss effective contraception with the oncology team. Tell the team immediately about a suspected or confirmed pregnancy. Discuss fertility preservation before treatment where relevant.
Eribulin mesilate while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is contraindicated because a risk to the infant cannot be excluded. Ask the oncology and maternity teams about feeding options and when breastfeeding might safely resume after treatment ends.
Eribulin mesilate interactions
Give the cancer team a complete list of prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products. Relevant considerations include:
Medicines that prolong the QT interval, including class Ia and III antiarrhythmics
Concurrent use may increase cardiac rhythm risk; ECG and electrolyte monitoring may be appropriate.
Narrow-therapeutic-index CYP3A4 substrates, such as ciclosporin, tacrolimus, fentanyl, quinidine or sirolimus
Eribulin mildly inhibits CYP3A4 in vitro, so monitoring for adverse effects is advised when these medicines are used together.
CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers
Clinically important effects on eribulin exposure are not expected based on studies with ketoconazole and rifampicin.
Common questions about Eribulin mesilate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is eribulin mesilate chemotherapy?
Yes. It is cytotoxic chemotherapy that prevents cancer cells from completing cell division.
Which cancers is eribulin mesilate licensed to treat?
It is licensed for specified previously treated locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer and unresectable advanced or metastatic liposarcoma in adults.
How is eribulin mesilate given?
A qualified healthcare professional gives it into a vein in a chemotherapy setting; it is not self-administered at home.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.