Quick Guide on Vincristine Sulfate Vincristine injection is indicated in the treatment of acute leukemia. The vincristine 1 mg injection also can be used in combination with other oncolytic agents for the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s malignant lymphomas, Hodgkin’s disease, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and Wilms’ tumor. Dosage and how should it be given? The preparation of this drug is recommended for intravenous use only. A lot of caution is required in order to calculate as well as administer the vincristine dose, since the overdose can cause serious or fatal results/outcome. The usual dose for pediatric patients is 1.5 to 2 mg/m2. For pediatric patients weighing 10 kg or less, the initial dose is 0.05 mg/kg, should be given once a week. The usual dose for adults is 1.4 mg/m2. About 50% reduction in the vincristine dose is used for patients with direct serum bilirubin value greater than 3 mg/100 mL. The vincristine is administered intravenously at weekly intervals. Side Effects: The most commonly occurred vincristine side effects are as follows: ● Constipation ● Hair loss ● Difficulty walking ● Headaches ● Change in sensation Special warnings and precautions for use: ● This drug should be used only by physicians experienced in cytotoxic chemotherapy. ● It is very irritating and avoids being given intramuscularly, subcutaneously or intrathecally. Intrathecal administration is fatal. ● The vincristine 1 mg is a vesicant and may be responsible for causing a severe local reaction on extravasation. ● The risk/benefit is considered in patients with a history of the gout/urate renal stones. ● Care must be considered in order to avoid the accidental contamination of the eyes, because it is highly irritant and may cause corneal ulceration. Contraindications: ● This drug should be avoided by those patients who are with the demyelinating form of CharcotMarie-Tooth syndrome. ● Intrathecal administration, as usual, results in death. ● Vincristine is not given to patients while they are taking radiation therapy through ports which include the liver. ● Patients with hypersensitivity to vinca alkaloids or mannitol should not take vincristine sulfate.
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