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Vincristine - Injection

Pronunciation: vin-CRISS-teen

Common Brand Name(s): Oncovin

Important: How To Use This Information

This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

Warning

This drug is to be given by injection only into a vein. It must not be injected into the spine or into other areas of the body since fatal reactions have occurred.

If vincristine leaks out of the vein into the surrounding area, it may cause serious skin and tissue damage. Tell your health care professional right away if you experience pain, irritation, redness, or swelling at the injection site. Prompt treatment of the leakage will help reduce discomfort and possible skin damage.

Vincristine injection is different than vincristine liposomal injection. The two drugs have different dosage recommendations.

Uses

Vincristine is used to treat various types of cancer. It is a cancer chemotherapy drug that is usually used with other chemotherapy drugs to slow or stop cancer cell growth.

How To Use

Side Effects

See also Warning section.

Nausea, vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, mouth sores, dizziness, or headache may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

This medication can also cause constipation, which in some cases may become serious. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about how you can prevent constipation (such as eating a diet high in fiber, drinking enough water). Ask about regularly using a stool softener such as docusate, avoiding bulk-forming laxatives, and choosing a stimulant laxative. Tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly if you develop constipation, stomach/abdominal pain, or bloating.

Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.

People using this medication may have serious side effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.

This medication may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills, cough).

This medication commonly affects the nerves and muscles in your body. Most of these side effects go away after this medication is stopped, however some effects may last for a long time. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following:

painful/difficult urination
decreased urination
pain (including in the joints, back, muscles)
numbness/tingling/burning/pain of the feet/hands
weakness
difficulty walking
loss of coordination/balance
inability to move your muscles (including the muscles of your face and other parts of your body)
drooping eyelids
hoarseness
trouble speaking

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

vision/hearing changes
mental/mood changes (such as depression, hallucinations, confusion)
easy bleeding/bruising
severe tiredness

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:

seizures
chest/jaw/left arm pain
signs of liver problems (such as nausea that doesn't stop, dark urine, vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin)

Trouble breathing may rarely occur with vincristine treatment, especially when it is given with another chemotherapy drug, mitomycin-C. Patients with lung problems may be more sensitive to this side effect. Long-term treatment of this side effect may be required if it worsens. This effect may occur within minutes to several hours after vincristine is given and up to 2 weeks after the dose of mitomycin-C. Get medical help right away if you have shortness of breath or coughing. If you have this reaction, you should not receive vincristine again.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:

rash
itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
severe dizziness
trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before using vincristine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or to vincristine liposomal; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

nerve/muscle problems (such as numbness/tingling/pain due to neuropathy, demyelinating conditions including Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome)
liver disease
radiation treatment to the liver
decreased bone marrow function
blood disorders
current infection

This medication can make you more likely to get infections or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles, flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.

Tell your health care professional that you are using vincristine before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports.

This drug may make you dizzy or tired or cause numbness in your hands/feet. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or tired. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Children may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially slowed movement of the gut that may cause vomiting and constipation.

This medication may reduce fertility in men and women. Consult your doctor for more details.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using vincristine. Vincristine may harm an unborn baby. Ask about reliable forms of birth control while using this medication. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

digoxin
phenytoin
drugs that may cause nerve damage to the ear (such as chemotherapy drugs that contain platinum)

Other medications can affect the removal of vincristine from your body, which may affect how vincristine works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as itraconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), rifamycins (such as rifabutin), St. John's wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine), among others.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count, uric acid blood levels) should be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

It is important to get each dose of this medication as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule.

If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Storage

Not applicable. This medication is given in a hospital or clinic or doctor's office and will not be stored at home.

Medical Alert

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised October 2023.

Selected from data included with permission and copyright by First DataBank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

Conditions of Use: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. The display and use of this drug information is subject to express Terms of Use.

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