Vincristine Pharmacology

Vincristine

About Vincristine
Natural (Vinca) Alkaloid, a mitotic inhibitor, Antineoplastic.
Mechanism of Action of Vincristine
Vincristine binds to the tubuline dimers (tubuline is a structural protein which polymerizes to form microtubules) and inhibit the polymerization causing disassembly of microtubule structure. Disruption of the microtubules arrests mitosis in metaphase. It also inhibits DNA-dependant RNA synthesis and purine synthesis.
Pharmacokinets of Vincristine
Absorption- Rapidly absorbed after intravenous administration.
Distribution- Widely distributed in the body. It crosses the blood brain barrier.75% bound to the plasma proteins.
Metabolism- Metabolized in the liver to its metabolites.
Excretion-Most of the metabolites are excreted through bile and about 10% excreted through urine.
Onset of Action for Vincristine
15 to 30 minutes after intravenous administration
Duration of Action for Vincristine
N/A
Half Life of Vincristine
N/A
Side Effects of Vincristine
1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Lowered resistance to infection
4. Bruising or unusual bleeding
5. Anemia
6. Weakness
7. Sore in mouth
8. Taste changes
9. Diarrhea
10. Loss of appetite
11. Visual changes
12. Black, tarry stools
13. Blood in urine or in stool
14. Cough or hoarseness
15. Fever
16. Chills
17. Lower back or side pain
18. Painful or difficult urination
19. Pinpoint red spot on skin
20. Slurred speech
21. Swelling on leg or lower leg
22. Shortness of breath
23. Pulmonary fibrosis
24. Intestinal necrosis
25. Hypotension
26. Stomatitis
27. Disorientation
28. Lethargy
29. Ataxia
30. Thrombocytopenia
31. Leucopenia
32. Bone marrow suppression
33. Hypertension
34. Acute Bronchospasm
35. Reversible alopecia
36. Phlebitis
37. Cellulitis at the site of injection
Contra-indications of Vincristine
1. Hypersensitivity to the drug
2. Demyelinating form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome
3. Recent radiation therapy
Special Precautions while taking Vincristine
1. Infection
2. Neuromuscular disease
3. Leucopenia
4. Pulmonary disorder
5. Leukemia
6. Radiation therapy
7. Extravasations
8. Treatment with neurotoxic drug
9. Recent vaccination
Pregnancy Related Information
Contraindicated
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Use with caution
Children Related Information
Use with caution
Indications for Vincristine
1. Leukemia
2. Hodkins disease
3. Neuroblastoma
4. Rhabdomyosarcoma
5. Wilm`s tumor
6. Kaposi`s sarcoma related to AIDS
7. Small cell lung cancer
8. Osteogenic sarcoma
9. Ewing`s sarcoma
10. Burkitts lymphoma
11. Brain medulloblastoma
12. Multiple myeloma
13. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic sarcoma
14. Auto immune hemolytic anemia
15. Non Hodkins disease
16. Breast cancer
17. Lymphosarcoma
18. Reticulum cell carcinoma
19. Cervical cancer
20. Colorectal cancer
21. Melanoma
22. Hepatoblastoma
23. Waldenstrom`s macroglobulinaemia
Interactions for Vincristine
Digoxin: Decreased plasma digoxin levels and renal excretion.
L-asparaginase: Hepatic clearance of vincristine is reduced if L-asparaginase is administered first. Thus to minimise toxicity, vincristine should be given 12 to 24 hours before administering L- asparaginase.
Mitomycin-C: Acute pulmonary reaction may occur.
Phenytoin: Reduced phenytoin plasma levels.
Typical Dosage for Vincristine
Intravenous-
Adult-
10 - 30 mcg/kg or 0.4 - 1.4mg/metre square /weekly
Children-
1.5 - 2 mg/metre square/weekly

Schedule of Vincristine
N/A
Storage Requirements for Vincristine
Stored in refrigerator (2-8 degree C) and protect from light.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Vincristine
Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time for next dose then skip the missed dose. Continue the regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Effects of Overdose of Vincristine
Provide symptomatic and supportive treatment. Supportive treatments include transfusion of blood components, induction of emesis. Give an enema for ileus, Phenobarbital for seizures. To prevent the toxic effects of drugs to the cells inject calcium leucoverin intravenously.

Home Delivery for Vincristine in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including vincristine.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for vincristine and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for vincristine may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take vincristine only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for vincristine before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for vincristine with the pharmacy.

Vincristine is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for vincristine might be better known than vincristine itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have vincristine in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for vincristine.