What is this medication for?
Vincristine belongs to the group of cancer-fighting medications known as antineoplastics. It kills cancer cells by interfering with the genetic material DNA, which is necessary for their growth and reproduction.
Vincristine is used alone or in combination with other antineoplastic medications to treat many different types of cancer, including leukemia (cancer of white blood cells), lymphoma (cancer of the lymph cells), rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, and Wilms' tumor.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Vincristine Sulfate by Abraxis Pharmaceuticals is available as:
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
The recommended dose and dosing schedule of vincristine varies according to the specific type of cancer being treated, the response to therapy, and the other medications or treatments being used. Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. Vincristine is injected into a vein through a specially prepared site on your skin that has been prepared for this purpose. It is usually scheduled to be given on a weekly basis.
Very careful handling of this medication is required. It is always given under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital or similar setting with access to sterile equipment for preparation. Vincristine should never be given by any other method other than by injection into a vein. Injecting vincristine into the spinal fluid can cause death.
As well as interfering with the genetic material DNA of cancer cells, vincristine can interfere with some of your normal cells. This can cause a number of side effects such as hair loss. Vincristine sometimes causes mild nausea and vomiting, but it is important to keep using this medication even if you feel ill. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can advise you on how to reduce the effects of nausea and vomiting. Your doctor may want you to drink extra fluid while using this medication to prevent kidney problems. Keep track of any side effects and report them to your doctor as suggested in the section, "What side effects are possible with this medication?"
Who should NOT take this medication?
Vincristine should not be used by anyone who:
- is allergic to vincristine or any ingredients of the medication
- has the demyelinating form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome