Marqibo Side Effects

A thin syringe with an exposed needle containing a dosage of Marqibo.

Serious side effects

Cardiac arrest, including respiratory distress and failure, and intracerebral and pulmonary hemorrhage
Hypotension and low white blood cell counts (febrile neutropenia) and low blood pressure, including low platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia), which all can cause low immunity and infections
Nerve damage like peripheral and cranial neurophathy, which can include sensory/motor problems and pains
Tumor lysis syndrome (metabolic complications after cancer treatment), and liver failure due to septic shock

Common side effects

Digestive problems such as constipation, nausea, diarrhea and decreased appetite may occur
Anemia can result in insomnia, fatigue/weakness, fever and pneumonia.

Warnings & Recalls for Marqibo

Marqibo Black Box Warning

Marqibo can only be administered through a vein (intravenously). It is deadly if administered through any other method, particularly if administered intrathecally (directly into the spinal fluid). Marqibo has a different dosage than vinCRIStine sulfate injections. This drug requires a medical professional to monitor the patient's motor and sensory reactions. Extravasation (the leakage of the medicine to the surrounding tissue) can cause tissue injury.

General Warnings & Contraindications

Marqibo may cause fetal harm in pregnant women, and should not be used by those who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant..Contraindications:

In patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome
In patients with hypersensitivity to vinCRIStine sulfate
Intrathecal administration (directly into spinal fluid)

Marqibo Treatment and Use

Marqibo | vinCRIStine sulfate liposome is an injection used to treat adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia after a relapse, or if the disease has continued after leukemia treatment. It is produced by Talon Therapeutics Inc.

How does Marqibo work?

Marqibo is made of vincristine sulfate (a vinca alkoloid inhibitor used in anti-cancer chemotherapy that divides cancer cells) and a liposome which contains the Optisome encapsulation technology that circulates vincristine in the blood for longer than without the technology. Vincristine is by itself FDA-approved for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and also used for hematologic and tumor malignancies.

Dosage

Marqibo’s recommended dose is 2.25 mg/m² injected intravenously by a health care professional over one hour every seven days.

Other Names for Marqibo

Brand Name:

Marqibo

Generic Name:

vinCRIStine sulfate liposome injection