Sw. Tobe et al., VINBLASTINE AND ERYTHROMYCIN - AN UNRECOGNIZED SERIOUS DRUG-INTERACTION, Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology, 35(3), 1995, pp. 188-190
Vinblastine and erythromycin are among the most commonly used chemothe
rapeutic and antimicrobial agents, respectively. No interaction betwee
n the two has ever been reported. Towards the end of a phase I study o
f vinblastine plus oral cyclosporin (to reverse multidrug resistance),
three patients also received erythromycin to raise their cyclosporin
levels. All developed severe toxicity consistent with a much higher vi
nblastine dose than was actually given. This apparent potentiation of
vinblastine toxicity has not been previously described.