vincristine – injection, Oncovin

WARNING: This drug is to be given by injection only into a vein. It must not be injected into the spine or other areas of the body as fatal reactions have occurred. Notify your healthcare professional immediately if you experience pain, irritation, redness, or swelling at the injection site. Prompt treatment of the leakage will help reduce discomfort and possible skin damage. Vincristine injection is different than vincristine liposomal injection. The two drugs have different dosage recommendations.

MEDICATION USES: Vincristine is used to treat various types of cancer. It is a chemotherapy drug that is usually used with other drugs to slow or stop cancer cell growth.

HOW TO USE: See Warning section. This medication is given by injection only into a vein by a healthcare professional. It is given on a schedule usually at weekly intervals or as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition, body size, and response to treatment. In small children, dosage is also based on weight. Unless your doctor instructs otherwise, drink plenty of fluids while using this medication. This helps to reduce some of the side effects to the kidneys.

SIDE EFFECTS: See Warning section. Nausea, vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, mouth sores, dizziness, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. This medication can also cause constipation, which in some cases may become serious. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about how you can prevent constipation, such as eating a high-fiber diet and drinking plenty of water. Ask about using a stool softener and avoiding bulk-forming laxatives. Tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly if you develop constipation, stomach/abdominal pain, or bloating. Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment. Many people using this medication have serious side effects. However, your doctor has prescribed this drug because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk. This medication may lower your ability to fight infections. It may make you more likely to get a serious infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection. This medication commonly affects the nerves and muscles in your body. Most of these side effects go away after treatment ends, but some effects may persist. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms: painful/difficult urination, change in urine amount, pain in joints/back/muscles, numbness/tingling/burning/pain in feet/hands, weakness, difficulty walking, loss of coordination/balance, inability to move muscles, drooping eyelids, hoarseness, trouble speaking. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: vision/hearing changes, mental/mood changes, easy bleeding/bruising, severe tiredness. Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: seizures, chest/jaw/left arm pain, signs of liver problems such as dark urine, persistent nausea, vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing of eyes/skin. Trouble breathing may infrequently occur with vincristine treatment, especially when given with another chemotherapy drug. Patients with lung problems may be more sensitive to this side effect. Long-term treatment of this side effect may be required if it worsens. This effect may occur within minutes to several hours after vincristine is given and up to 2 weeks after the dose of the other chemotherapy drug. Get medical help right away if you have shortness of breath or coughing. If you have this reaction, you should not receive vincristine again. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using vincristine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or to vincristine liposomal, or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: nerve/muscle problems, liver disease, radiation treatment to the liver, decreased bone marrow function, blood disorders, current infection. This medication can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others. Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines. To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects and avoid contact sports. This drug may make you dizzy or tired or cause numbness in your hands/feet. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or a sense of touch until you can do so safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use. Children may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug on the kidneys. Consult your doctor for more details. This medication may reduce fertility in men and women. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may harm an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss reliable forms of birth control. It is recommended that men and women use 2 effective forms of birth control while using this medication and for some time afterward. It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. Keep a list of all the products you use and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: digoxin, phenytoin, drugs that may cause nerve damage to the ear, drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove vincristine from your body, drugs that may cause difficult urination.

QUESTION

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. NOTES: Laboratory and/or medical tests should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. MISSED DOSE: For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule. STORAGE: Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for storage details. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed.

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