Vincristine is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat certain types of cancer of the blood, lymph nodes, bone marrow, breasts, kidneys, bones, or muscles.
This medicine may also be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Vincristine is to be given intravenously (into the vein) as an injection or infusion. It is delivered directly into the bloodstream via the blood vessel.
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on the type of your condition and your response to the medication.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Vincristine.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome (an inherited disorder that affects the nerves usually in the hands or feet, causing muscle weakness or numbness)
- currently undergoing radiation therapy that includes the liver
as Vincristine may not be suitable for you.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with Vincristine and for 1 month after stopping the treatment.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- nerve and muscle problems
- lung or breathing problems
- low white blood cell count
- infection
- history of gout (high uric acid level in the blood)
- history of kidney stones
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon.
It is important that you do not get pregnant while using this medicine. You must use proven birth control methods during Vincristine therapy and for at least 7 months after stopping the treatment. Men with female partners of childbearing potential are also advised to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 4 months after the last dose of this medicine. You may wish to discuss reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Vincristine to a child or the elderly. Children or elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. complete blood count, liver function, blood electrolyte or uric acid levels) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring for signs of injection or infusion site reactions may also be needed.
Vincristine may cause any of the following side effects: hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, pain in the jaw, muscle or bone pain, weakness, fever, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- pain, numbness, or tingling sensation in the hands or feet, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, changes in balance or coordination
- shortness of breath
- burning sensation, severe pain, or swelling at the injection/infusion site
- severe constipation or stomach pain
- frequent sore throat, mouth sores, fever, chills or sweating
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- other medicines for cancer e.g. mitomycin, dactinomycin, asparaginase, doxorubicin, methotrexate
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole
- medicines that stimulate the growth of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) e.g. filgrastim, pegfilgrastim
- phenytoin (medicine for epilepsy [fits or seizures])
- isoniazid (medicine to treat TB, a lung infection known as tuberculosis)
- nifedipine (medicine for high blood pressure)
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Vincristine.
Avoid vaccinations with live vaccines during treatment with this medicine. Alert your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated or if you are planning to get vaccinated.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C.
Do not freeze this medicine otherwise, it will no longer be effective and should not be used.
Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
As Vincristine is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired medicine to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
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