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Vinorelbine Lotus 20 mg soft capsules – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for healthcare professionals

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Medicine status: Prescription only (POM) Details

Medicine strength:
20 mg
Contains active substance:

Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - Vinorelbine Lotus 20 mg soft capsules

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Vinorelbine Lotus 20 mg soft capsules

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each soft capsule contains:

Vinorelbine 20 mg

As Vinorelbine tartrate 27.70 mg

Excipient with known effect:

Each dose of 20 mg soft capsule contains 38.44 mg sorbitol.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Soft capsule.

Vinorelbine Lotus 20 mg soft capsule: An oval-shaped light brown soft capsule, with the size of 11×7 mm filled with a transparent, colourless to slightly yellow liquid.

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Vinorelbine Lotus is indicated in adult patients for the treatment of:

  • advanced non-small-cell lung cancer as monotherapy or in combination with other chemotherapy.
  • as adjuvant treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy.
  • advanced breast cancer as monotherapy or in combination with other agents.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

In adult patients

As a single agent, the recommended regimen is:

First three administrations

60 mg/m² of body surface area (BSA), administered once weekly.

Subsequent administrations

Beyond the third administration, it is recommended to increase the dose of vinorelbine to 80 mg/m² once weekly except in those patients for whom the neutrophil count dropped once below 500/mm3 or more than once between 500 and 1,000/mm3 during the first three administrations at 60 mg/m².

Neutrophil count during the first 3 administrations of 60 mg/m2/weekNeutrophils >1,000

Neutrophils ≥ 500 and < 1,000

(1 episode)

Neutrophils ≥ 500 and < 1,000

(2 episodes)

Neutrophils < 500
Recommended dose starting with the 4th administration80806060

Dose modification

For any administration planned to be given at 80 mg/m², if the neutrophil count is below 500/mm3 or more than once between 500 and 1,000/mm3 the administration should be delayed until recovery and the dose reduced from 80 to 60 mg/m2 per week during the 3 following administrations.

Neutrophil count beyond the 4th

administration of 80 mg/m2/week

Neutrophils >1,000

Neutrophils ≥ 500 and < 1,000

(1 episode)

Neutrophils ≥ 500 and < 1,000

(2 episodes)

Neutrophils < 500
Recommended dose starting with the next administration8060

It is possible to re-escalate the dose from 60 to 80 mg/m2 per week if the neutrophil count did not drop below 500/mm3 or more than once between 500 and 1,000/mm3 during 3 administrations given at 60 mg/m2 according to the rules previously defined for the first 3 administrations.

For combination regimens, the dose and schedule will be adapted to the treatment protocol.

Based on clinical studies, the oral dose of 80 mg/m2 was demonstrated to correspond to 30 mg/m2 of the IV form and 60 mg/m2 to 25 mg/m2. This has been the base for combination regimens alternating IV and oral forms improving patient convenience. Capsules of different strengths (20, 30, 80 mg) are available in order to choose the adequate combination for the right dosage.

The following table gives the dose required for appropriate rages of body surface area (BSA).

60 mg/ m280 mg/m2
BSA (m2)Dose (mg)Dose (mg)
0.95 to 1.046080
1.05 to 1.147090
1.15 to 1.2470100
1.25 to 1.3480100
1.35 to 1.4480110
1.45 to 1.5490120
1.55 to 1.64100130
1.65 to 1.74100140
1.75 to 1.84110140
1.85 to 1.94110150
≥ 1.95120160
Even for patients with BSA ≥ 2 m2 the total dose should never exceed
120 mg per week at 60 mg/m2 and 160 mg per week at 80 mg/m2.

Administration

Vinorelbine Lotus must be given strictly by the oral route.

The medicine must be swallowed whole with water, without chewing, sucking or dissolving the capsule.

It is recommended to administer the capsule with some food.

Administration in the Elderly

Clinical experience has not detected any significant differences among elderly patients with regard to the response rate, although greater sensitivity in some of these patients cannot be excluded. Age does not modify the pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine (see section 5.2).

Administration in children

Safety and efficacy in children have not been established and administration is therefore not Recommended (see section 5.1).

Administration in patients with liver insufficiency

Vinorelbine Lotus can be administered at the standard dose of 60 mg/m²/week in patients with mild hepatic impairment (bilirubin < 1.5×ULN, and ALT and/or AST between 1.5 and 2.5×ULN).

In patients with moderate hepatic disorder (bilirubin between 1.5 and 3.0×ULN, independent of ALT and/or AST level), this medicine should be administered at the dose of 50 mg/m²/week.

Administration of Vinorelbine Lotus in patients with severe hepatic disorder is not recommended because there is insufficient data in this population in order to determine the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

Administration in patients with renal insufficiency

Given the minor renal excretion, there is no pharmacokinetic justification for reducing the dose of Vinorelbine Lotus in patients with renal insufficiency (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

Specific instructions must be observed for handling Vinorelbine Lotus (see section 6.6).

4.3 Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to the active substance, other vinca-alkaloids or to any of the constituents
  • Disease significantly affecting absorption.
  • Previous significant surgical resection of stomach or small bowel.
  • Neutrophil count < 1,500/mm3 or severe infection current or recent

    (within 2 weeks).

  • Platelet count < 100,000/mm3.
  • Lactation (see section 4.6).
  • Patients requiring long-term oxygen therapy.
  • In combination with yellow fever vaccine (see section 4.5).

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Special warnings

Vinorelbine should be prescribed by a physician who is experienced in the use of chemotherapy with facilities for monitoring cytotoxic drugs.

If the patient chews or sucks the capsule by error, the liquid is an irritant. Proceed to mouth rinses with water or preferably a normal saline solution.

In the event of the capsule being cut or damaged, the liquid content is an irritant, and so may cause damage if in contact with skin, mucosa or eyes. Damaged capsules should not be swallowed and should be returned to the pharmacy or to the doctor in order to be properly destroyed. If any contact occurs, immediate thorough washing with water or preferably with normal saline solution should be undertaken.

In the case of vomiting within a few hours after drug intake, do not re-administer. Supportive treatment such as 5HT3 antagonists, (e.g. ondansetron or granisetron) may reduce the occurrence of this (see section 4.5).

Vinorelbine soft capsule is associated with a higher incidence of nausea/vomiting than the intravenous formulation. Primary prophylaxis with antiemetics and administration of the capsules with some food is recommended as this has also been shown to reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting, (see section 4.2).

Patients receiving concomitant morphine or opioid analgesics: laxatives and careful monitoring of bowel mobility are recommended. Prescription of laxatives may be appropriate in patients with prior history of constipation. Close haematological monitoring must be undertaken during treatment (determination of haemoglobin level and the leucocyte, neutrophil and platelet counts on the day of each new administration).

Dosing should be determined by haematological status:

  • If the neutrophil count is below 1,500/mm3 and/or the platelet count is below 100,000/mm3, then the treatment should be delayed until recovery.
  • For dose escalation from 60 to 80 mg/m2 per week, after the third administration: see section 4.2.
  • For the administrations given at 80 mg/m², if the neutrophil count is below

    500/mm3 or more than once between 500 and 1,000/mm3, then the treatment should be delayed until recovery. The administration should not only be delayed but also reduced to 60 mg/m² per week. It is possible to re-escalate gradually the dose from 60 to 80 mg/m2 per week (see section 4.2).

During clinical trials where treatments were initiated at 80 mg/m2, a few patients developed excessive neutropenic complications including those with a poor performance status. Therefore, it is recommended that the starting dose should be 60 mg/m2 escalating to 80mg/m2 if the dose is tolerated, as described in section 4.2.

If patients present signs or symptoms suggestive of infection, a prompt investigation should be carried out.

This medicinal product contains 38.44 mg sorbitol in each capsule.

The additive effect of concomitantly administered product containing sorbitol (or fructose) and dietary intake of sorbitol (or fructose) should be taken into account.

The content of sorbitol in medicinal products for oral use may affect the bioavailability of other medicinal products for oral use administered concomitantly.

This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

Special precautions for use

Special care should be taken when prescribing for patients with

  • history of ischemic heart disease, (see section 4.8)
  • poor performance status.

Vinorelbine Lotus should not be given concomitantly with radiotherapy if the treatment field includes the liver.

This product is specifically contra-indicated with yellow fever vaccine and its concomitant use with other live attenuated vaccines is not recommended , (see section 4.3).

Caution must be exercised when combining Vinorelbine and strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4 (see section 4.5), and its combination with phenytoin (like all cytotoxics) and with itraconazole (like all vinca alkaloids) is not recommended.

Oral vinorelbine has been studied in patients with hepatic disorder at the following dosages:

  • 60 mg/m² in 7 patients with mild hepatic disorder (bilirubin < 1.5×ULN, and ALT and/or

AST between 1.5 and 2.5×ULN);

  • 50 mg/m² in 6 patients with moderate hepatic disorder (bilirubin between 1.5 and 3×ULN, independent of ALT and AST level).

The safety and pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine were not changed in these patients at the tested doses.

Oral vinorelbine has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic disorder, therefore the use in these patients is not recommended (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).

As there is a low level of renal excretion there is no pharmacokinetic rationale for reducing the dose of vinorelbine in patients with impaired kidney function (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Concomitant use contraindicated

Yellow fever vaccine

as with all cytotoxics, risk of fatal generalised vaccine disease (see section 4.3).

Live attenuated vaccines

(for yellow fever vaccine, see concomitant use contraindicated) As with all cytotoxics, risk of generalised vaccine disease, possibly fatal. This risk is increased in patients already immunosupressed by their underlying disease. It is recommended to use an inactivated vaccine when one exists (e.g. poliomyelitis) (see section 4.4).

Phenytoin

As with all cytotoxics, risk of exacerbation of convulsions resulting from the decrease of phenytoin digestive absorption by cytotoxic drug or loss of efficacy of the cytotoxic drug due to increased hepatic metabolism by phenytoin.

Itraconazole

As with all vinca-alcaloids, increased neurotoxicity of vinca-alkaloids due to the decrease of their hepatic metabolism.

Concomitant use to take into consideration

Cisplatin

There is no mutual pharmacokinetic interaction when combining Vinorelbine with cisplatin over several cycles of treatment. However, the incidence of granulocytopenia associated with Vinorelbine use in combination with cisplatin is higher than associated with Vinorelbine single agent.

Mitomycin C

Risk of bronchospasm and dyspnoea are increased, in rare case an interstitial pneumonitis was observed.

Ciclosporin, tacrolimus

Excessive immunosupression with risk of lymphoproliferation.

As vinca-alkaloids are known as substrates for P-glycoprotein, and in the absence of specific study, caution should be exercised when combining Vinorelbine with strong modulators of this membrane transporter.

The combination of vinorelbine with other drugs with known bone marrow toxicity is likely to exacerbate the myelosuppressive adverse effects.

No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interaction was observed when combining vinorelbine with several other chemotherapeutic agents (paclitaxel, docetaxel, capecitabine and oral cyclophosphamide).

As CYP3A4 is mainly involved in the metabolism of vinorelbine, combination with strong inhibitors of this isoenzyme (e.g. azole antifungals such as ketoconazole and itraconazole) could increase blood concentrations of vinorelbine and combination with strong inducers of this isoenzyme (e.g. rifampicin, phenytoin) could decrease blood concentrations of vinorelbine.

Anti-emetic drugs such as 5HT3 antagonists (e.g. ondansetron, granisetron) do not modify the pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine soft capsules (see section 4.4).

An increased incidence of grade 3/4 neutropenia has been suggested when intravenous vinorelbine and lapatinib were associated in one clinical phase I study. In this study, the recommended dose of intravenous form of vinorelbine in a 3-weekly schedule on day 1 and day 8 was 22.5 mg/m2 when combined with daily lapatinib 1,000 mg. This type of combination should be administered with caution.

Anticoagulant treatment: Due to the increase of thrombotic risk in case of tumoral diseases, the use of anticoagulant treatment is frequent. The high intra-individual variability of the coagulability during diseases, and the eventuality of interaction between oral anticoagulants and anticancer chemotherapy required, if it is decided to treat the patient with oral anticoagulants, to increase frequency of the INR (International Normalised Ratio) monitoring.

Food does not modify the pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There are insufficient data available on the use of vinorelbine in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown embryotoxicity and teratogenicity (see section 5.3). On the basis of the results of animal studies and the pharmacological action of the medicinal product, there is a potential risk of embryonic and foetal abnormalities.

Vinorelbine Lotus should therefore not be used during pregnancy, unless the individual awaited benefit clearly outweighs the potential risks. If pregnancy occurs during treatment, the patient should be informed about the risks for the unborn child and be monitored carefully. The possibility of genetic counselling should be considered.

Women of childbearing potential

Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment with vinorelbine and for 3 months after treatment.

Lactation

It is unknown whether vinorelbine is excreted in human breast milk. The excretion of vinorelbine in milk has not been studied in animal studies. A risk to the suckling child cannot be excluded therefore breast feeding must be discontinued before starting treatment with Vinorelbine (see section 4.3).

Fertility

Men treated with vinorelbine are advised not to father a child during and minimally up to 3 months after treatment. Prior to treatment, advice should be sought for conserving sperm due to the chance of irreversible infertility as a consequence of treatment with vinorelbine.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed but on the basis of the pharmacodynamic profile vinorelbine does not affect the ability to drive and use machines.

However, caution is necessary in patients treated with vinorelbine considering some adverse effects of the drug (see section 4.8).

4.8 Undesirable effects

The overall reported frequency of undesirable effects was determined from clinical studies in 316 patients (132 patients with non-small cell lung cancer and 184 patients with breast cancer) who received the recommended regimen of vinorelbine (first three administrations at 60 mg/m²/week followed by 80 mg/m²/week).

Adverse reactions reported are listed below, by system organ and by frequency.

Additional adverse reactions pooled from post-marketing experience and clinical trials have been added according to the MedDRA classification with the frequency not known.

Very common≥ 1/10
Common≥ 1/100 to < 1/10
Uncommon≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100
Rare≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000
Very rare< 1/10,000
Not knowncannot be estimated from the available data

Undesirable effects reported with vinorelbine soft capsule

Pre-marketing experience

The most commonly reported adverse drug reactions are bone marrow depression with neutropenia, anaemia and thrombocytopenia, gastrointestinal toxicity with nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomatitis and constipation. Fatigue and fever were also reported very commonly.

Post-marketing experience

Vinorelbine soft capsule is used as single agent or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin, or capecitabine. The most common system organ classes involved during post-marketing experience are: ‘Blood and lymphatic system disorders’, ‘Gastrointestinal disorders’ and ‘General disorders and administration site conditions’. This information is consistent with the pre-marketing experience.

Infections and infestations

Very common: Bacterial, viral or fungal infections without neutropenia at different sites G1-4: 12.7%; G3-4: 4.4%.

Common: Bacterial, viral or fungal infections resulting from bone marrow depression and/or immune system compromise (neutropenic infections) are usually reversible with an appropriate treatment. Neutropenic infection G3-4: 3.5%.

Not known: Neutropenic sepsis.

Complicated septicaemia and sometimes fatal.

Severe sepsis sometimes with organ failure.

Septicaemia.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Very common: Bone marrow depression resulting mainly in neutropenia G1-

4: 71.5%; G3: 21.8%; G4: 25.9%, is reversible and is the dose limiting toxicity.

Leukopenia: G1-4: 70.6%; G3: 24.7%; G4: 6%. Anaemia: G1-4: 67.4%; G3-4: 3.8%.

Thrombocytopenia: G1-2: 10.8%.

Common: G4 Neutropenia associated with fever over 38 °C including febrile neutropenia: 2.8%.

Not known: Thrombocytopenia G3-4.

Pancytopenia.

Endocrine disorders

Not known: Inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Very common: Anorexia G1-2: 34.5%; G3-4: 4.1%.

Not known: Severe hyponatraemia.

Psychiatric disorders

Common: Insomnia: G1-2: 2.8%.

Nervous system disorders

Very common: Neurosensory disorders G1-2: 11.1 % generally limited to loss of tendon reflexes and infrequently severe.

Common: Neuromotor disorders G1-4: 9.2%: G3-4: 1.3%.

Headache: G1-4: 4.1%, G3-4: 0.6%.

Dizziness: G1-4: 6%; G3-4: 0.6%.

Taste disorders: G1-2: 3.8%.

Uncommon: Ataxia G3: 0.3%.

Not known: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

Eye disorders

Common: Visual impairment G1-2: 1.3%.

Cardiac disorders

Uncommon: Heart failure and cardiac dysrhythmia.

Not known: Myocardial infarction in patients with cardiac medical history or cardiac risk factors.

Vascular disorders

Common: Arterial Hypertension G1-4: 2.5%; G3-4: 0.3%.

Arterial Hypotension G1-4: 2.2%; G3-4: 0.6%.

Respiratory system, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Common: Dyspnoea: G1-4: 2.8%; G3-4: 0.3%.

Cough: G1-2: 2.8%.

Not known: Pulmonary embolism.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Very common: Nausea G1-4: 74.7%; G3-4: 7.3%.

Vomiting G1-4: 54.7%; G 3-4: 6.3%; Supportive treatment (such as oral setrons) may reduce the occurrence of nausea and vomiting.

Diarrhoea: G1-4: 49.7 %; G3-4: 5.7%.

Stomatitis: G1-4:10.4 %; G3-4: 0.9%.

Abdominal pain: G1-4: 14.2%.

Constipation: G1-4: 19%; G3-4: 0.9% Prescription of laxatives may be appropriate in patients with prior history of constipation and/or who receive concomitant treatment with morphine or morphine mimetics.

Gastric disorders: G1-4: 11.7%.

Common: Oesophagitis: G1-3: 3.8%; G3: 0.3%.

Dysphagia: G1-2: 2.3%.

Uncommon: Paralytic ileus: G3-4: 0.9% [exceptionally fatal], treatment may be resumed after recovery of normal bowel mobility. Not known: Gastrointestinal bleeding.

Hepatobiliary disorders

Common: Hepatic disorders: G1-2: 1.3%.

Not known: Transient elevations of liver function tests G1-2.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Very common: Alopecia usually mild in nature G1-2: 29.4% may occur. Common: Skin reactions G1-2: 5.7%.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Common: Arthralgia including jaw pain.

Myalgia: G1-4: 7 %, G3-4: 0.3%.

Renal and urinary disorders

Common: Dysuria G1-2: 1.6%.

Other genitourinary symptoms G1-2: 1.9%.

General disorders and administration site conditions Very common: Fatigue/malaise: G1-4: 36.7 %; G3-4: 8.5 %.

Fever: G1-4: 13.0%, G3-4: 12.1%.

Common: Pain including pain at the tumour site: G1-4: 3.8%, G3-4: 0.6%.

Chills: G1-2: 3.8%.

Investigations

Very common: Weight loss: G1-4: 25%, G3-4: 0.3%.

Common: Weight gain G1-2: 1.3%.

For the intravenous formulation of vinorelbine, the following additional adverse drug reactions were reported: systemic allergic reactions, severe paraesthesias, weakness of lower extremities, heart rhythm disorders, flushing, peripheral coldness, collapse, angina pectoris, bronchospasm, interstitial pneumopathy, pancreatitis, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme; website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

4.9 Overdose

Symptoms

Overdosage with Vinorelbine soft capsules could produce bone marrow hypoplasia sometimes associated with infection, fever, paralytic ileus and hepatic disorders.

Emergency procedure

General supportive measures together with blood transfusion, growth factors and broad spectrum antibiotic therapy should be instituted as deemed necessary by the physician. A close monitoring of hepatic function is recommended.

Antidote

There is no known antidote to vinorelbine.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antineoplastic agents, vinca alkaloids and analogues (ATC code: L01CA04).

Vinorelbine is an antineoplastic drug of the vinca alkaloid family but unlike all the other vinca alkaloids, the catharantine moiety of vinorelbine has been structurally modified. At the molecular level, it acts on the dynamic equilibrium of tubulin in the microtubular apparatus of the cell. It inhibits tubulin polymerization and binds preferentially to mitotic microtubules, affecting axonal microtubules at high concentrations only. The induction of tubulin spiralization is less than that produced by vincristine. Vinorelbine blocks mitosis at G2-M, causing cell death in interphase or at the following mitosis.

Safety and efficacy of vinorelbine in paediatric patients have not been established. Clinical data from two single-arm Phase II studies using intravenous vinorelbine in 33 and 46 paediatric patients with recurrent solid tumours, including rhabdomyosarcoma, other soft tissue sarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, liposarcoma, synovial sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, central nervous system cancer, osteosarcoma, neuroblastoma at doses of 30 to 33.75 mg/m2 D1 and D8 every 3 weeks or once weekly for 6 weeks every 8 weeks, showed no meaningful clinical activity. The toxicity profile was similar to that reported in adult patients. (see section 4.2)

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Pharmacokinetic parameters of vinorelbine were evaluated in blood.

Absorption

After oral administration, vinorelbine is rapidly absorbed and the Tmax is reached between 1.5 to 3 h with a blood concentration peak (Cmax) of approximately 130 ng/ml after a dose of 80 mg/m².

Absolute bioavailability is approximately 40% and a simultaneous intake of food does not alter the exposure to vinorelbine.

Oral vinorelbine at 60 and 80 mg/m2 leads to blood exposure comparable to that achieved with intravenous vinorelbine at 25 and 30mg/m2, respectively. The blood exposure to vinorelbine increases proportionally with the dose up to 100 mg/m2.

Interindividual variability of the exposure is similar after administration by intravenous and oral routes.

Distribution

The steady-state volume of distribution is large, on average 21.2 l/kg (range: 7.5-39.7 l/kg), which indicates extensive tissue distribution. Binding to plasma proteins is weak (13.5%), vinorelbine binds strongly to blood cells and especially to platelets (78%).

There is a significant uptake of vinorelbine in lungs, as assessed by pulmonary surgical biopsies which showed concentration up to a 300-fold higher concentration than in serum. Vinorelbine is not found in the central nervous system.

Biotransformation

All metabolites of vinorelbine are formed by CYP3A4 isoform of cytochromes P450 except 4-O-deacetylvinorelbine likely to be formed by carboxylesterases. 4-O- deacetylvinorelbine is the only active, metabolite and the main one observed in blood.

Neither sulphate nor glucuronide conjugates are found.

Elimination

The mean terminal half-life of vinorelbine is around 40 hours. Blood clearance is high, approaching hepatic blood flow, and is 0.72 l/h/kg (range: 0.32-1.26 l/h/kg).

Renal elimination is low (< 5% of the dose administered) and consists mostly in parent compound.

Biliary excretion is the predominant elimination route of both unchanged vinorelbine, which is the main recovered compound, and its metabolites.

Special patient groups

Renal and liver impairment

The effects of renal dysfunction on the pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine have not been studied.

However, dose reduction in case of reduced renal function is not indicated with vinorelbine due to the low level of renal elimination.

Pharmacokinetics of orally administered vinorelbine were not modified after administration of 60 mg/m² in 7 patients with mild hepatic disorder (bilirubin < 1.5×ULN, and ALT and/or AST between 1.5 and 2.5×ULN) and of 50 mg/m² in 6 patients with moderate hepatic disorder (bilirubin between 1.5 and 3×ULN, independent of ALT and AST level). The safety and pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine were not changed in these patients at the tested doses.

No data are available for patients with severe hepatic disorder, therefore the use of vinorelbine in these patients is not recommended (see sections 4.2, 4.4).

Elderly patients

A study with oral vinorelbine in elderly patients (≥70 years) with NSCLC demonstrated that pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine were not influenced by age. However, since elderly patients are frail, caution should be exercised when increasing the dose of vinorelbine (see section 4.2).

Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamic relationships

A strong relationship has been demonstrated between blood exposure and depletion of leucocytes or PMNs.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Pre-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of repeated dose toxicity.

Vinorelbine induced chromosome damages but was not mutagenic in Ames test.

It is assumed that vinorelbine can cause mutagenic effects (induction of aneuploidy of polyploidy) in man. In animal reproductive studies vinorelbine was embryo-feto-lethal and teratogenic.

No haemodynamic effects were found in dogs receiving vinorelbine at maximal tolerated dose; only some minor, non-significant disturbances of repolarisation were observed as with other vinca alkaloids tested. No effect on the cardiovascular system was observed in primates receiving repeated doses of vinorelbine over 39 weeks.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Capsule content

Macrogol 400

Polysorbate 80 (E433)

Purified water

Capsule shell

Gelatin

Sorbitol liquid partially dehydrated (E420)

Titanium dioxide (E171)

Purified water

Iron oxide yellow (E172)

6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

6.3 Shelf life

3 years.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Store in a refrigerator (2-8 °C).

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Carton box containing a PVC/PVDC-Al/PET/paper child-resistant blister. Pack size: 1 or 4 blisters containing 1 soft capsule each. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Lotus Pharma Bulgaria EOOD

Cherni Vrah No 102d, Floor 4

Triaditsa district, 1407,

Sofia, Bulgaria

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 60924/0001

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE

AUTHORISATION

15/01/2026

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

15/01/2026

About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: PL 60924/0001

Last revision stated in the text: 15 January 2026 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

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The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Facts about Vinorelbine Lotus 20 mg soft capsules

Prescription needed? Yes, prescription-only medicine (POM)
Active substance Vinorelbine
Strength 20 mg
Pharmaceutical form Oral capsule
Vinorelbine Lotus 20 mg soft capsule: An oval-shaped light brown soft capsule, with the size of 11×7 mm filled with a transparent, colourless to slightly yellow liquid.
How is it taken Oral
Excipients Macrogol 400, Polysorbate 80 (E433), Purified water, Gelatin, Sorbitol liquid partially dehydrated (E420), Titanium dioxide (E171), Iron oxide yellow (E172)
Is it available? Listed as available (NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices – not a record of current supplies)
Shelf life 3 years.
Storage Store in a refrigerator (2-8 °C).
Drug group (ATC) Antineoplastic agents, vinca alkaloids and analogues (
  1. L Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents
    1. L01 Antineoplastic agents
      1. L01C Plant alkaloids and other natural products, antineoplastic drugs
        1. L01CA Vinca alkaloids and analogues, antineoplastic
          1. L01CA04 vinorelbine
Marketing authorisation PL 60924/0001 (first authorised 15 January 2026)
Marketing authorisation holder Lotus Pharma Bulgaria EOOD
Codes BNF 08010400

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk) and the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 10.2.0 of 19 October 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.