What is vincristine?
Vincristine is cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body.
Vincristine is used to treat leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma (soft tissue tumors), neuroblastoma (cancer that forms in nerve tissue), and Wilms' tumor.
Vincristine is sometimes used in combination with other cancer medications.
Vincristine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about vincristine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to it, or if you have Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome.
Do not use vincristine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Before you receive vincristine, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, coronary artery disease, or a nerve-muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis, Lou Gehrig's disease, multiple sclerosis, or muscular dystrophy.
Vincristine is sometimes used in combination with other cancer medications.
Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when vincristine is injected.
Your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving vincristine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to it, or if you have Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:
liver disease;
a nerve-muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), multiple sclerosis), or muscular dystrophy; or
coronary artery disease.
FDA pregnancy category D. Vincristine can cause harm to an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Before you receive vincristine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether vincristine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.