Vincristine
About Vincristine
Vincristine belongs to a class of drugs known as 'anti-cancer medication,' primarily used to treat various types of cancer. It is used to treat cancer of the breast, pancreas, kidney, blood, bone, lung. Cancer is a genetic change in which our cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. There are more than 100 types of cancer, including blood cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer.
Vincristine contains Vincristine, which is primarily used to treat cancer. It works by blocking the replication of DNA (genetic material) in the cancer cells. Hence, this stops the further growth and multiplication of the cancer cells.
Take Vincristine as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Vincristine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending upon your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience hair loss, constipation, headache, peripheral neuropathy (tingling and numbness of feet and hand), stomach cramps, feeling tired or weak, back, bone, joint, or muscle pain, mouth irritation, or mouth sores. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
Do not take Vincristine if you are allergic to Vincristine or any of its ingredients. Vincristine is a pregnancy category D drug, so it should not be used in pregnant women or if you are planning for pregnancy as Vincristine causes serious congenital disabilities. You should use an effective way for birth control to avoid pregnancy (both men and women) while taking Vincristine. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Vincristine as it could lead to increased dizziness. Vincristine may make you more susceptible to infections; consult your doctor if you develop any signs of fever, sore throat, breathlessness, jaundice, unexplained bleeding or bruising. Your doctor may advise you to undergo regular blood tests, kidney and liver tests to monitor your condition.
Uses of Vincristine
Medicinal Benefits
Vincristine contains Vincristine, an anti-cancer medicine used to treat various types of cancer. It is used to treat cancers of the blood (leukemia or lymphomas), breast, head and neck or lung. It may be used to treat multiple myeloma (a cancer of plasma cells), and it may also be used in the treatment of some cancers in children. It is also used in a blood disorder known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) after another medication has become unsuccessful in treating it.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Vincristine
- Constipation
- Headache
- Hair loss
- Peripheral neuropathy (tingling and numbness of feet and hand)
- Stomach cramps
- Feeling tired or weak
- Mouth irritation or mouth sores
- Back, bone, joint, or muscle pain
Drug Warnings
Do not take Vincristine if you are allergic to Vincristine or any of its ingredients. You should use an effective way for birth control to avoid pregnancy (both men and women) while taking Vincristine. Do not take Vincristine if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy as Vincristine causes serious congenital disabilities. Vincristine should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers as it is not known whether it passes through breast milk or not. Talk to your doctor before taking Vincristine if you have/had liver or kidney problems, ulceration in stomach or bowels, poor general condition, received any vaccinations or if are due to have any, diabetes mellitus treated with insulin. Vincristine causes dizziness and drowsiness, so drive with caution. Vincristine should not be given to children as safety and efficacy have not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Vincristine as it could lead to increased dizziness. Vincristine may make you more susceptible to infections; consult your doctor if you develop any signs of infections such as fever, sore throat, breathlessness, jaundice, unexplained bleeding or bruising. Your doctor may advise you to undergo regular blood tests, kidney and liver tests to monitor your condition.
Drug Interactions
- Drug-Drug Interaction: Vincristine is known to interact in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome (a disease that causes weakness in the leg muscles), mental disorder, liver or kidney problem, radiotherapy, breathing problems (asthma), low white blood cell.
- Drug-Food Interaction: Vincristine is known to interact with the St. John Wort plant (a natural remedy to treat depression).
- Drug-Drug Interaction: $nmae is known to interact with anti-tuberculosis medicine (isoniazid), anti-cancer medicine (mitomycin, asparaginase, dactinomycin), anti-fungal medicines (itraconazole, fluconazole).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Vincristine as it may increase drowsiness.
Pregnancy
unsafeVincristine is a pregnancy category D drug. It should not be used in pregnancy as it is known to cause fetal damage. Also, maintain a gap of 6 months between the last dose of Vincristine and your next pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeVincristine is known to pass through breast milk and it may cause harm to the baby. So, it is advised not to breastfeed while taking Vincristine.
Driving
unsafeVincristine may cause weakness, dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionThe safety and efficacy of Vincristine are not known in children. It should be taken only if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath or listen to soothing music.
- Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, and high fiber content. Also, eat small and frequent meals for a speedy recovery.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. Also, avoid high fat and cholesterol diet.
Special Advise
- Regularly monitor your blood cell count, platelet count and liver function.
- If you see any redness, pain, swelling, burning, skin sores, or leaking of fluid from where the drug is going into your body, please tell your nurse as this could mean that Vincristine is not being administered properly which could lead to tissue damage.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cancer: It is a genetic change in which our cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. There are two types of cancer, namely benign (localized) and metastatic (spread to the whole body). There are more than 100 types of cancer, including blood cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer. Cancer growth can be prevented by chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell therapy and by doing surgical excision.
FAQs
Vincristine contains Vincristine, which works by blocking DNA replication (genetic material) in the cancer cells. Hence, this stops the further growth and multiplication of the cancer cells.
Vincristine if not administered properly, and if it leaks from the vein, it may cause tissue damage. So, if you see any redness, pain, swelling, burning, skin sores or leaking of fluid from where the drug is going into your body, please tell your nurse.
The most common side effects of Vincristine are hair loss, constipation, headache, peripheral neuropathy (tingling and numbness of feet and hand), stomach cramps, feeling tired or weak, back, bone, joint or muscle pain, mouth irritation or mouth sores. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
Vincristine is a vesicant (irritant) and can damage the tissues and blood vessels if it is not administered correctly, which can be fatal. So, it should be given by a trained professional in the hospital.
Yes, Vincristine is a cytotoxic (toxic to living cells) medicine. So, it is advised to be very cautious while taking Vincristine.
