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Vincristine

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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.

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.

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.

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Information expires December 2024.