• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is vincristine?
Vincristine is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Vincristine interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body. Vincristine is used in the treatment of leukemia. Vincristine has also been used in the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, Wilms' tumor, and other types of cancer. Vincristine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What are the possible side effects of vincristine?

If you experience any of the following side effects from vincristine, contact your doctor:

• an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• nerve problems (such as burning, pricking, or tingling; loss of reflexes, or difficulty walking);

• little or no urine production, painful or difficult urination, or excessive urination;

• constipation or abdominal cramps;

• nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite;

• weight and muscle loss or wasting;

• inflamation and sores on the lips or inside the mouth;

• hearing problems;

• vision problems;

• jaw, throat, bone, back, or limb pain;

• headache;

• temporary hair loss; or

• redness, burning, or irritation at the injection site.

Menstruation in women and sperm production in men may stop.

Other side effects have also been reported. Discuss with your doctor any side effect that occurs during treatment with vincristine.

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How should I use vincristine?
Vincristine should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with vincristine depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you notice redness, pain or swelling at the place of injection or anywhere else on your skin.

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What is the most important information I should know about vincristine?
Vincristine should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Serious side effects have been reported with the use of vincristine including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); nerve damage (burning, pricking, or tingling; loss of reflexes and difficulty in walking); severe nausea, vomiting, constipation, and loss of appetite; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with vincristine.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of vincristine.

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What other drugs will affect vincristine?
Many drugs may interact with vincristine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with vincristine.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Vincristine has been assigned to pregnancy category D by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of teratogenicity. When administered as a part of combination antineoplastic therapy, vincristine may produce gonadal dysfunction in men and women. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Vincristine should only be given during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while receiving this drug, she should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while receiving this medication.

Clinical reports of both male and female patients who received vincristine as a part of multiple agent chemotherapy indicate that azoospermia and amenorrhea can occur in postpubertal patients. Recovery occurred in some of the patients many months after the chemotherapy had been completed. In studies of several animal species, the drug has induced teratogenesis or embryonic fatality at dosages which were nontoxic to the pregnant animals.

There are no data on the excretion of vincristine into human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to vincristine in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Demyelinating form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome.

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What does my medication look like?
Vincristine is available with a prescription under the brand names Oncovin and Vincasar PFS. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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What happens if I overdose?
If for any reason an overdose of vincristine is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately. Symptoms of a vincristine overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

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Who should not use vincristine?
Do not use vincristine without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease; kidney disease; a breathing or lung disease; or Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome or another type of nerve or neuromuscular disease. The use of vincristine may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above. Vincristine is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that vincristine is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use vincristine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Contraceptive measures are recommended during treatment with vincristine.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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