Indications And Dose
Variety of cancers including leukaemias, lymphomas, and some solid tumours (e.g. breast and lung cancer) ▶Adult: (consult local protocol)
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Drug reference
Variety of cancers including leukaemias, lymphomas, and some solid tumours (e.g. breast and lung cancer) ▶Adult: (consult local protocol)
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Intrathecal injection contra- indicated.
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Caution in handling—irritant to tissues. neuromuscular disease
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Vincristine injections are for intravenous administration only. Inadvertent intrathecal administration can cause severe neurotoxicity, which is usually fatal. The National Patient Safety Agency has advised (August 2008) that adult and teenage patients treated in an adult or adolescent unit should receive their vinca alkaloid dose in a 50 mL minibag. Teenagers and children treated in a child unit may receive their vinca alkaloid dose in a syringe.
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→Appendix 1: vinca alkaloids
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▶Rare or very rare Hypersensitivity. rash. SIADH ▶Frequency not known Abdominal cramps. adrenal disorder . alopecia. anaemia. appetite decreased. azotaemia. bladder atony. bronchospasm. connective tissue disorders . constipation. coronary artery disease. dehydration. diarrhoea. dizziness. dyspnoea. eighth cranial nerve damage. eye disorders. fever. gait abnormalities. gastrointestinal disorders. haemolytic anaemia. headache . hearing impairment. hypertension. hyponatraemia. hypotension. infection. leucopenia. movement disorders. muscle atrophy. myalgia. myocardial infarction. nausea. neuromuscular effects (dose-limiting). neutropenia. oedema. oral ulceration. pain. paralysis. paresis. reflexes absent. renal disorder. secondary malignancy. sensation abnormal. sepsis. throat pain. thrombocytopenia. urinary disorders. vertigo. vestibular damage. vision loss. vomiting. weight decreased SIDE-EFFECTS, FURTHER INFORMATION Bronchospasm Severe bronchospasm following administration is more common when used in combination with mitomycin-C. Neurotoxicity Sensory and motor neuropathies are common and are cumulative. Manufacturer advises monitoring patients for symptoms of neuropathy, such as hypoesthesia, hyperesthesia, paresthesia, hyporeflexia, areflexia, neuralgia, jaw pain, decreased vibratory sense, cranial neuropathy, ileus, burning sensation, arthralgia, myalgia, muscle spasm, or weakness, both before and during treatment—requires dose reduction, treatment interruption or treatment discontinuation, depending on severity. Motor weakness can also occur and dose reduction or discontinuation of therapy may be appropriate if motor weakness increases. Recovery from neurotoxic effects is usually slow but complete.
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Contraceptive advice required, see Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.
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Avoid (teratogenicity and fetal loss in animal studies). See also Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.
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Discontinue breast-feeding.
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Manufacturer advises caution. Dose adjustments Manufacturer advises dose reduction.
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There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Solution for injection ▶Vincristine sulfate (Non-proprietary) Vincristine sulfate 1 mg per 1 ml Vincristine 1mg/1ml solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £13.47 (Hospital only) | 5 vial P £67.35 (Hospital only) Vincristine 2mg/2ml solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £26.66 (Hospital only) | 5 vial P £133.30 (Hospital only) Vincristine 5mg/5ml solution for injection vials | 5 vial P £329.50 (Hospital only)
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(consult local protocol)
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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