Content
Vincristine is the active substance in an antineoplastic drug known commercially as Oncovin, indicated for the treatment of various types of cancer, including leukemia, lung and breast cancer.
Its action is to interfere with the metabolism of amino acids and prevent cell division, decreasing the likelihood of cancer spreading through the body.
This medicine is available as an injection and must be administered by a healthcare professional.
What is it for
Vincristine is a drug indicated for the treatment of the following types of cancer:
- Acute lymphoid leukemia;
- Neuroblastoma;
- Wilms' tumor;
- Breast cancer;
- Lung cancer;
- Ovary cancer;
- Cervical cancer;
- Colorectal cancer;
- Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma;
- Ewing's sarcoma;
- Osteosarcoma;
- Malignant melanoma.
In addition, this remedy is also indicated for the treatment of mycosis fungoides and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Learn what it is and how to identify the symptoms of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
How to use
This medicine must be administered intravenously, by a health professional, and the dose and the treatment period must be determined by the oncologist.
In general, the dosage is as follows:
Adults
- 0.01 to 0.03 mg of Vincristine per kg of body weight, as a single dose, every 7 days.
Children
- Above 10 kg: Administer 1.5 to 2 mg of Vincristine per square meter of body surface, as a single dose, every 7 days;
- With 10 kg or less: Administer 0.05 mg of Vincristine per kg of body weight, as a single dose, every 7 days.
The duration of treatment should be determined by the oncologist.
Contraindications
This medicine is contraindicated for people with hypersensitivity to the components of the formula and in patients with the demyelinating form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome.
In addition, it should also not be used by pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should stop lactation during treatment with vincristine.
Possible side effects
Some of the most common side effects that can occur during treatment with vincristine are hair loss, constipation, body pain, decreased white blood cells, loss of sensation, difficulty walking and loss of reflexes.
The most serious side effects that can occur are neuromuscular disorders.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
- ANTIBIOTICS OF BRAZIL. ONCOVIN® vincristine sulfate . 2015. Available at:. Accessed on 28 Jul 2020