eribulin mesylate at a glance
Medicine class
Microtubule dynamics inhibitor; cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Licensed uses
Certain previously treated locally advanced or metastatic breast cancers and unresectable advanced or metastatic liposarcoma in adults.
Administration
Given into a vein by a qualified healthcare professional.
Important monitoring
Blood counts are checked because eribulin can suppress bone-marrow function, particularly neutrophils.
What is eribulin mesylate used for?
Licensed uses for the selected product are:
Adults with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer that has progressed after previous chemotherapy for advanced disease, including an anthracycline and a taxane unless unsuitable.
Adults with unresectable advanced or metastatic liposarcoma previously treated with an anthracycline, unless unsuitable.
How does eribulin mesylate work?
Eribulin binds to tubulin and inhibits microtubule growth. This disrupts chromosome separation during cell division, arrests cancer cells during mitosis and can cause cell death.
eribulin mesylate preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 0.44 mg/mL
How to take eribulin mesylate
A trained healthcare professional administers eribulin into a vein. It is not taken at home, and food does not affect its administration.
Tell the treatment team about infection symptoms, numbness, tingling, weakness, heart problems and all other medicines.
The solution may be given undiluted or diluted with sodium chloride solution; it must not be diluted with glucose solution.
Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel tired or dizzy.
eribulin mesylate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Reduced white or red blood-cell counts
- Tiredness or weakness
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation
- Numbness, tingling or prickling sensations
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Hair loss
- Headache
- Muscle, joint, limb or back pain
- Fever, cough or breathlessness
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever or infection symptoms, especially with confusion, rapid breathing, clammy skin or a racing heartbeat
- Severe breathing difficulty or swelling of the face, mouth, tongue or throat
- Blistering or peeling rash affecting the skin or mucous membranes
- Sudden breathlessness, chest pain or coughing blood
- Unusual or persistent bleeding or extensive bruising
- New or worsening numbness, weakness, difficulty using the hands or difficulty walking
eribulin mesylate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are lacking, and animal studies found embryo-fetal harm. Eribulin should be avoided during pregnancy unless 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 mesylate while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is contraindicated because transfer into human milk is unknown and harm to an infant cannot be excluded. Discuss feeding options with the oncology and maternity teams.
eribulin mesylate interactions
Give the oncology team a complete medicines list. Relevant cautions include:
Narrow-therapeutic-index CYP3A4 substrates, including ciclosporin, fentanyl, pimozide, quinidine, sirolimus and tacrolimus
Eribulin mildly inhibits CYP3A4 in laboratory studies, so monitoring for adverse effects is advised.
Medicines that prolong the QT interval, including class Ia and III antiarrhythmics
Combined use may increase cardiac rhythm risk; ECG and electrolyte monitoring may be appropriate.
Common questions about eribulin mesylate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What cancers is eribulin mesylate licensed to treat?
Certain previously treated locally advanced or metastatic breast cancers and previously treated unresectable advanced or metastatic liposarcoma in adults.
Is eribulin mesylate chemotherapy?
Yes. It is cytotoxic chemotherapy that interferes with microtubules needed for cancer-cell division.
How is eribulin mesylate given?
A qualified healthcare professional gives it directly into a vein in a cancer treatment setting.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.