Halaven

Generic name:eribulin [ e-RIB-ue-lin ]
Drug class:Mitotic inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Oct 6, 2020.

What is Halaven?

Halaven is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Halaven is used to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

Halaven is also used to treat liposarcoma, a rare type of cancer that develops in fatty tissue anywhere in the body. It is used for liposarcoma that cannot be treated with surgery, or has spread throughout the body.

Halaven is usually given after at least two other cancer treatments did not work or have stopped working.

Warnings

Do not use Halaven if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.

Before you receive Halaven, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, congestive heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder, a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome, or an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).

Halaven can weaken (suppress) your immune system, and you may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, cough, or painful urination).

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect while taking Halaven such as fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, mouth sores, pain or burning when you urinate, pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, fast or uneven heart rate, severe numbness or tingling in your hands and feet, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Halaven if you are allergic to eribulin.

To make sure Halaven is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• heart problems;

• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); or

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).

Eribulin can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using this medicine.

• If you are a woman, do not use Halaven if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

• If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3.5 months (14 weeks )after your last dose.

• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Halaven.