Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Velban
- Antineoplastics, Vinca Alkaloid
Description
A vinca alkaloid agent
Used for acute leukemias in pediatric and adult patients; used as part of combination therapy for Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, and Wilms tumor
For IV use only; may be fatal if given as an intrathecal injection
Indications
Other Indications & Uses
ALL, AML, CML, Hodgkin disease, NHL, neuroblastoma, sarcomas, small cell lung cancer, Wilms’ tumor, brain tumors
Off-label: breast cancer, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Kaposi sarcoma, bladder cancer
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome (demyelinating form), intrathecal (IT) administration
Adverse Effects
- Alopecia (20-70%)
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Paresthesia
- Sensory loss
- Acute uric acid nephropathy
- Loss of deep-tendon reflexes
- Hypertension
- Hypotension
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Paralytic ileus
- Myelosuppression
- Leukopenia
- Gait changes
- Jaw pain
- Aspermia
- Amenorrhea
Warnings
Use caution in bone marrow depression, neuromuscular disease, neurotoxic agents, ototoxic agents, pulmonary disease, hepatic impairment, potential CYP3A4 interactions
Potential for jaw/parotid pain, hoarseness and dysphagia due to cranial neuropathy
Vincristine sulfate injection has a different dosage recommendation than vincristine sulfate liposome injection; verify drug name and dose prior to preparation and administration to avoid administering incorrect dose
Extravasation can occur and can cause tissue injury; only administer through secure and free-flowing venous access line; if extravasation suspected, discontinue infusion immediately and consider local treatment measures
Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, or anemia may occur; monitor complete blood counts prior to each dose; for Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, or anemia, consider dose delay or reduction, as well as supportive care measures
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) may occur in patients with ALL receiving therapy; anticipate, monitor for, and manage as appropriate
Ileus, bowel obstruction, and colonic pseudo-obstruction reported; can cause constipation; institute a prophylactic bowel regimen to mitigate potential constipation, bowel obstruction, and paralytic ileus; consider adequate dietary fiber intake, hydration, and stool softeners; use additional laxative products as needed
Therapy can cause severe fatigue; consider dose delay, reduction, or discontinuation of therapy as appropriate
Fatal hepatic toxicity and increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) occurred; grade ≥3 increased AST reported; monitor hepatic function tests; interrupt or reduce dose as appropriate
Pregnancy and Lactation
Based on findings from nonclinical studies and mechanism of action, therapy can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman; there are insufficient data on use of vincristine sulfate in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk
There are no data on presence of vincristine sulfate or metabolites in human milk, effects on breastfed child, or on milk production
Maximum Dosage
1.4 mg/m2 per week; due to the risk of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy, weekly doses were capped at 2 mg in some clinical studies.
1.4 mg/m2 per week; due to the risk of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy, weekly doses were capped at 2 mg in some clinical studies.
2 mg/m2 IV per week; due to the risk of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy, weekly doses were capped at 2 or 2.5 mg in some pediatric studies.
2 mg/m2 IV per week; due to the risk of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy, weekly doses were capped at 2 or 2.5 mg in some pediatric studies.
greater than 10 kg: 2 mg/m2 IV per week; due to the risk of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy, weekly doses were capped at 2 or 2.5 mg in some pediatric studies.
10 kg or less: 0.05 mg/kg IV per week.
How supplied
Vincristine
injectable solution
- 1mg/mL