Vincristine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Oncovin, Vincasar PFS, Vincrex

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For vincristine, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to vincristine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you intend to have children. There is a chance that this medicine may cause birth defects if either the male or female is taking it at the time of conception or if it is taken during pregnancy. Vincristine causes birth defects and death of the fetus in animals. In addition, many cancer medicines may cause sterility, which could be permanent. Although sterility has not been reported with this medicine, the possibility should be kept in mind.

Be sure that you have discussed this with your doctor before receiving this medicine. It is best to use some kind of birth control while you are receiving vincristine. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while receiving vincristine.

Breast-feeding - Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or if you intend to breast-feed during treatment with this medicine. Because vincristine may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are receiving it.

Children - This medicine has been tested in children and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Older adults - Nervous system effects may be more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of vincristine.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving vincristine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Probenecid (e.g., Benemid) or
• Sulfinpyrazone (e.g., Anturane) - Vincristine may increase the concentration of uric acid in the blood, which these medicines are used to lower

• If you have ever been treated with x-rays or cancer medicines - Vincristine may increase the effects of these medicines or radiation therapy on the blood

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of vincristine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Chickenpox (including recent exposure) or
• Herpes zoster (shingles) - Risk of severe disease affecting other parts of the body

• Gout (history of) or
• Kidney stones (history of) - Vincristine may increase levels of uric acid in the body, which can cause gout or kidney stones

• Infection - Vincristine can reduce immunity to infection

• Liver disease - Effects may be increased because of slower removal of vincristine from the body

• Nerve or muscle disease - May be worsened