Vincristine

Vincristine is a chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of several types of cancer. This drug is generally combined with other chemotherapy drugs to treat blood cancer in adults and some types of cancer in children.

Vincristine works by inhibiting cell division so that the growth of cancer cells in the body can be slowed or stopped. In adults, this drug can be used to treat lymphoma ( lymphoma ), brain tumors, lung cancer, or blood cancers, such as acute myeloblastic leukemia .

While in children, vincristine can be used to treat Wilms tumor (cancer of the kidney), neuroblastoma (cancer of nerve cells), or rhabdomyosarcoma (cancer of the muscles).

Vincristine trademarks : Rasteo, Vincristine, Vincristine Sulfate, DBL Vincristine Sulfate, and Vistin.

What is Vincristine

Warnings Before Using Vincristine

There are several things that need to be considered before undergoing treatment with vincristine, namely:

• Tell your doctor if you are allergic to vincristine or any other chemotherapy drugs. Vincristine should not be used in patients who are allergic to this drug.
• Tell your doctor if you have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease , or are undergoing radiotherapy .
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of problems with the nerves or muscles, such as muscle weakness, stinging or electrocution-like pain, tingling, or numbness.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high uric acid , kidney stones, liver disease, intestinal obstruction , heart disease, hypertension, blood disorders, respiratory problems, or infectious diseases, such as chickenpox or shingles .
• Do not get vaccinated while on treatment with vincristine without consulting your doctor first. Avoid being near people who have recently been vaccinated with live vaccines, such as the influenza vaccine or the MMR vaccine .
• As much as possible avoid contact with people who are suffering from infectious diseases, such as the flu, chicken pox, or measles. Using vincristine carries a risk of making you susceptible to infectious diseases.
• Tell your doctor if you have had severe constipation from taking vincristine in the past.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding. Consult with your doctor about the most effective contraceptive for you while undergoing chemotherapy with vincristine.
• Do not drive a vehicle or do any activity that requires alertness after taking vincristine if you experience dizziness, tiredness, or numbness in your hands or feet.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking other medications, including supplements and herbal products, to avoid drug interactions.
• Immediately consult a doctor if you experience an allergic drug reaction or overdose after using vincristine.

Dosage and Rules for Use Vincristine

The dose of vincristine given by the doctor will be adjusted to the patient's condition and response to treatment, as well as the chemotherapy protocol based on the type of cancer. The following are the usual doses of vincristine given to adults and children:

Children

The dose for children weighing ≤10 kg is 0.05 mg/kg, once a week. Subsequent doses are adjusted to the patient's tolerance level of the drug. Apart from body weight, the dose for children can also be adjusted according to body surface area with a dose of 1.5–2 mg/m2, once a week.

Mature

For adult patients, the dose is 1.4–1.5 mg/m2 body surface area, once a week. The maximum dose is 2 mg per week.

How to Use Vincristine Properly

Vincristine should only be given by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. This medication is given by infusion into a vein in the hand or arm.

Immediately report to the doctor or medical officer if pain, burning, or a lump appears in the area where the infusion is placed.

Drink plenty of water while undergoing treatment with vincristine to prevent impaired kidney function. Avoid collisions and stay away from all activities that have the risk of causing injury to prevent bleeding.

Consume enough vegetables and fruits to prevent constipation while on therapy with vincristine. Consult your doctor if you cannot have a bowel movement for more than 3 days after taking vincristine.

Get regular medical check-ups with your doctor while using vincristine. Routine checks need to be carried out so that the development of the condition and the effectiveness of the drug can always be monitored.

Vincristine Interactions with Other Drugs

The use of vincristine can increase the risk of the following interaction effects when used with certain drugs, including:

• Blood clots if used with tamoxifen
• Dangerous side effects of vincristine when used with L-asparaginase or ganciclovir
• Side effects include disturbances to hearing and nerve cells when used with platinum-based chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin
• Nerve damage if used with isoniazid , itraconazole , voriconazole, or nifedipine
• Decreased production of blood cells in the bone marrow ( myelotoxicity effect ) when used with zidovudine
• Severe side effects when used with macrolide antibiotics, such as azithromycin and erythromycin
• Increased levels of etoposide in the body
• Decreased effectiveness of antiepileptic drugs, as well as digoxin and verapamil tablets
• Delays the process of decomposing vincristine so there is a risk of causing side effects when used with miconazole
• Infectious disease attacks and decreased effectiveness of live vaccines, such as the BCG vaccine, influenza vaccine, measles vaccine , or typhoid vaccine

Vincristine Side Effects and Dangers

Side effects that can arise after using vincristine include:

• Buy t
• Nausea or vomiting
• Hair loss
• Dizziness or headache
• Sprue
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea

Tell your doctor if these side effects do not improve and get worse. Immediately consult a doctor if you experience an allergic drug reaction or the following serious side effects:

• Symptoms of infection, such as fever , chills, cough, or sore throat that doesn't go away
• Symptoms of liver disorders , such as dark colored urine, skin color and the whites of the eyes become yellowish ( jaundice )
• Mental and mood disturbances , such as confusion, depression, or hallucinations
• Pain when urinating, difficulty urinating, small amount of urine
• Impaired balance or coordination of body movements
• Difficulty moving muscles, including facial muscles
• Pain, tingling , or numbness in the hands and feet
• Hoarse voice and difficulty speaking
• Impaired vision, for example unable to see suddenly
• Hearing loss, including unable to hear
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Chest pain or pressure, which can radiate to the arms and jaw
• seizures