Vincristine

Registered South African indications:

• Hodgkins lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkins lymphoma
• Lymphocytic leukaemia 
• Wilm's tumour
• Neuroblastoma
• Brain tumours
• Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Breast, bladder and reproductive system carcinomas

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients
• Hypersensitivity to other vinca alkaloids
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Demyelinating form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome
• Bacterial infection

Cautions

• Hepatic impairment
• Elderly
• Avoid eyes contamination
• Latex allergy
• Infants and children below 3 years
• Rapid infusion
• Leucopenia
• Nephropathy
• Amenorrhoea
• Coadministration with neurotoxic agents

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: inj

Used for the treatment of

• Acute leukaemia
• Non-Hodgkins lymphoma
• Bladder carcinoma
• Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Wilm's tumour
• Neuroblastoma

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Consult specialist for dosages and regimens

Paed. forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: inj

Used for the treatment of

• Acute leukaemia
• Non-Hodgkins lymphoma
• Wilm's tumour
• Neuroblastoma
• Rhabdomyosarcoma

---

Consult specialist for dosages and regimens

Pregnancy

• Contraindicated

Breastfeeding

• Contraindicated

Fertility

• Both men and women receiving vincristine should be informed of the potential risk of adverse effects. Reliable methods of contraception or abstinence are recommended

Renal Impairment

• No dose adjustment recommended

Hepatic Impairment

• Caution; dose adjustment recommended

Elderly

• Caution; no dose adjustment recommended 

Porphyria Information

• Probably not porphyrinogenic (PNP)

Central Nervous System Disorders

• Neuropathic pain
• Sensory loss
• Paraesthesia
• Loss of deep tendon reflexes
• Ataxia
• Paresis
• Foot drop 
• Cranial nerve palsies
• Ocular palsies 
• Laryngeal nerve paralysis
• Paraesthesia
• Motor difficulties
• Convulsions
• Convulsions followed by coma 
• Headache

Cardiovascular Disorders

• Coronary artery disease
• Myocardial infarction
• Hypertension
• Hypotension 

Respiratory Disorders

• Acute shortness of breath
• Severe bronchospasm
• Pharyngeal pain

Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Constipation
• Abdominal cramps
• Paralytic ileus
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Oral ulceration
• Parotid gland pain 

Genitourinary Disorders

• Amenorrhoea
• Nephropathy
• Polyuria
• Dysuria 
• Urinary retention 
• Bladder atony

Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

• Inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion
• Hyponatraemia
• Anorexia

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

• Alopecia
• Rash

Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders

• Leucopenia
• Neutropenia
• Anemia
• Haemolytic anaemia 
• Thrombocytopenia 
• Allergic-type reactions
• Anaphylaxis
• Infection
• Sepsis
• Neutropenic sepsis

Sensory Disorders

• Transient cortical blindness 
• Optic atrophy with blindness 
• Vestibular and auditory damage to the eighth cranial nerve
• Partial or total deafness

Musculoskeletal Disorders

• Muscle wasting
• Jaw pain
• Bone pain
• Back pain
• Limb pain 
• Myalgia

Others

• Fever
• injection site reaction 
• Secondary malignancies 

• CYP3A substrates
• Neurotoxic agents
• Isoniazid 
• Mitomycin-C 
• Phenytoin
• Itraconazole 
• L-asparaginase
• Radiation therapy 
• Methotrexate 
• Dactinomycin  

• Full blood count
• Electrolytes
• Hepatic function
• Serum uric acid
• Neurological function  

Vincristine is an antitumor vinca alkaloid. It acts by mitotic inhibition at metaphase through its interaction with tubulin. It may also interfere with amino acids, cyclic AMP, glutathione metabolism; calmodulin-dependent Ca²⁺-transport ATPase activity, cellular respiration, nucleic acid and lipid biosynthesis.

Injection (per ml) 1mg

• Abic vincristine (Teva)
• P&U vincristine CSV (Pfizer) originator (Discontinued: 13/12/2019)

Injection (per 2ml) 2mg

• Abic vincristine (Teva)
• Accord vincristine (Accord)
• P&U vincristine CSV (Pfizer) originator (Discontinued: 18/12/2020)