Vincristine

DEA Class; Rx

Common Brand Names; Velban

  • Antineoplastics, Vinca Alkaloid

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

For the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).
For the treatment of neuroblastoma, in combination with other oncolytic agents.
For the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma.

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

Hypersensitivity

Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome (demyelinating form), intrathecal (IT) administration

  • 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

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

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

Adults

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.

Geriatric

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.

Adolescents

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.

Children

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.

Infants

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.

Vincristine 

injectable solution

  • 1mg/mL

About the Author

You may also like these

0