Vincristine

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Sections available in full article Name, Class of drug, Description, Uses, Administration, Routes of administration, Dosage, Pharmocokinetics, Normal, Physiological, variations, Pathological variations, Precautions, Use with care, Interactions, Adverse reactions, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr William Brewer Jr DVM DiplACVIM Oncology and Internal Medicine
Dr Laura Garrett DVM DACVIM (Oncology)

Name

  • Vincristine sulfate.

Class of drug

  • Vinca alkaloid antineoplastic agent, derived from the periwinkle plant ( Vinca rosea ).

Uses

Action

  • Interferes with microtubule assembly causing metaphase arrest.
  • Stimulates the early release of platelets.

Indications

  • Canine and feline neoplastic diseases particularly lymphoproliferative disorders: used with other anti-neoplastic agents  Chemotherapy: general principles  .
  • Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia  Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia  .
  • Treatment of transmissible venereal tumor.

Adverse reactions

Effects of overdosage

  • May cause leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia.

Other reported reactions

  • Peripheral neuropathy.
  • Constipation.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Severe local irritation if administered perivascularly.
  • Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).
  • Ileus (more common in cats).
  • Loss of deep tendon reflexes.

Treatment

  • Leukopenia - prophylactic antibiotics, G-CSF.
  • Vesicant - injection of site with saline and corticosteroids, local injection of hyaluronidase, warm compresses to site, bandaging, surgical debridement.
  • Constipation - bulk laxatives, metoclopramide  Metoclopramide  .

Furosemide

  • Incompatible in same fluid line.

Investigation of adverse reaction

  • Increases blood and urine concentrations of uric acid.

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