| Vincristine | 262.000000000000 | Vincristine | Vincristine | V | English | Pharmacy | NA | NA | NA | Drugs and Supplements | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2010-03-17T04:00:00Z | | Rita V. Kutti, BScPhm, RPh | | | | 7.40000000000000 | 64.6000000000000 | 961.000000000000 | | Drugs (A-Z) | Drug A-Z | <p>Your child needs to take the medicine called vincristine. This information sheet explains what vincristine does, how to give it, and what side effects or problems your child may have when they take this medicine.</p> | <p>Your child needs to take the medicine called vincristine (say: vin-KRIS-teen). This information sheet explains what vincristine does, how to give it, and what side effects or problems your child may have when they take this medicine. </p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>What is vincristine?</h2>
<p>Vincristine is a drug used to kill cancer cells. It stops cancer cells from dividing and making new cells. It may also be used to treat some non-cancerous conditions. </p>
<p>You may hear vincristine called VCR or by its brand name, Oncovin. Vincristine comes in injection form.</p> | <h2>Before giving vincristine to your child</h2>
<p>Tell the doctor if your child:</p>
<ul><li>has ever reacted badly to vincristine, vinblastine, vinorelbine, or vindesine or to any other medications, foods, preservatives or colouring agents </li>
<li>has any nerve and muscle disorders </li>
<li>has Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome </li></ul>
<h3>Talk with the doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has: </h3>
<ul><li>infection or recent exposure to infection (for example chickenpox) </li>
<li>liver problems </li></ul> | <h2>How will your child get vincristine?</h2>
<p>Vincristine is a clear solution which is injected into a vein. It is either given in an outpatient clinic or on a nursing unit. </p> | | | <h2>What are the possible side effects of vincristine?</h2>
<p>Your child may have some of these side effects while they take vincristine. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects, and they do not go away, or they bother your child: </p>
<ul><li>weight loss </li>
<li>constipation </li>
<li>mild stomach cramps or pain </li>
<li>hair loss </li>
<li>mild headache </li>
<li>jaw pain </li>
<li>sores in the mouth and on the lips </li></ul>
<p>Call your child's doctor during office hours if your child has any of these side effects:</p>
<ul><li>severe constipation or stomach cramps </li>
<li>changes in the amount of urine </li>
<li>pain or trouble urinating </li>
<li>pain in the joints, lower back, or side </li>
<li>blurred vision </li>
<li>trouble walking </li>
<li>drooping eyelids </li>
<li>numbness or tingling in fingers and/or toes </li>
<li>changes in hearing or ringing in the ears </li>
<li>hoarseness or weak voice </li>
<li>change in crying (in babies) </li>
<li>weakness </li></ul>
<h3>Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem.<br>Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects: </h3>
<ul><li>pain or redness at the site of injection </li>
<li>fever or chills </li>
<li>unusual bleeding or bruising </li>
<li>blood in the urine or stools </li>
<li>black, tarry stools </li>
<li>pinpoint red spots on skin </li>
<li>seizures </li></ul> | <h2>What safety measures should you take when your child is using vincristine?</h2>
<p>If vincristine leaks out of the vein through which it is being given, it can cause severe damage. Tell the nurse right away if you or your child notice redness, pain, or swelling at the place of injection. </p>
<p>Vincristine commonly causes constipation and stomach cramps. It is important that your child keep their bowels moving. Your doctor may want your child to take a stool softener or laxative to prevent complications that may be caused by constipation. Be sure to tell the doctor if your child has not had a bowel movement for several days. </p>
<p>Vincristine may cause tingling or numbness in the fingers or toes. If your child is complaining of this, let the doctor know. Tell the doctor if your child seems to be having difficulty walking or trouble with buttons, writing, or picking up small objects. Your child should also be careful when handling items that are sharp, hot, or cold. </p>
<p>Your child should not receive any immunizations (vaccines) without your child's doctor's approval. Your child or anyone else in your household should not get oral polio vaccine while your child is being treated for cancer. Tell your child's doctor if anyone in your household has recently received oral polio vaccine. Your child should avoid contact with anyone who has recently received this vaccine. Other live vaccines that your child should not get include measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), and chicken pox vaccine. </p>
<p>There is a chance that vincristine may cause birth defects if it is taken at the time of conception or if it is taken during pregnancy. If your child is sexually active, it is best that she use some kind of birth control while receiving vincristine. Tell the doctor right away if your child may be pregnant. </p>
<p>Your child may lose their hair. It will grow back once your child is no longer receiving vincristine. Its colour and texture may change. Use a gentle shampoo and a soft brush. </p>
<p>Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines (prescription, non-prescription, herbal, or natural products). </p> | <h2>What other important information should you know about vincristine?</h2><ul><li>Vincristine does not usually cause nausea (stomach upset).</li><li>Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.</li><li>Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.</li><li>Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.<br></li></ul> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/ICO_DrugA-Z.png | Vincristine | Vincristine | False | | | | | |
