Vincristine is a medicine used to treat leukaemia and some solid tumours. It is also used to treat other conditions.
How is vincristine given?
It is given by slow injection into a vein (intravenously or IV), through a cannula, central venous catheter or implantable port.
What are the side effects of vincristine?
Constipation
Your child may become constipated. This can generally be helped by drinking lots of fluids and eating a high fibre diet. Sometimes the doctor may prescribe medicines to stimulate your child’s bowel function.
Numbness, tingling or aches and pains
This can happen because of the effect of vincristine on your child’s nervous system. Your child may complain of aches and pains in their legs. Please ask your doctor or nurse for advice if your child has aches and pains. If your child has any difficulty walking, for example he or she walks on tiptoes, slaps his or her feet or has balance problems, please tell the doctor. Your child may need to see a physiotherapist. The future dosage of vincristine may then be lowered. These side effects are temporary and usually wear off a few months after treatment has finished. In some younger children, their eyelids may droop a little while on vincristine. This again is due to the effect on the nervous system.
Jaw pain
Sometimes vincristine may cause jaw pain or difficulty in swallowing. This is because of the effect of vincristine on the cranial nerve, which runs down the side of the face. These effects are temporary and usually wear off gradually once treatment is finished. Please ask your doctor or nurse for advice if your child has jaw pain.
Hair loss
Your child may lose some or all of his or her hair, or it may become thinner. This is temporary and the hair will grow back once the treatment is finished.
Temporary alteration in taste
It is possible your child may experience a different taste while eating favourite foods. Your dietitian may be able to suggest ways round this.
Discomfort on urination or urine retention
Your child may experience pain or discomfort on urination or difficulty in passing urine. Please tell the doctor or nurse if this occurs.
Vincristine and interactions with other medicines
Some medicines can react with vincristine, altering how well it works. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicine, including medicines on prescription from your family doctor (GP), medicines bought from a pharmacy (chemist) or any herbal or complementary medicines.
Important information you should know about vincristine
- If vincristine leaks into the tissues underneath your child’s skin, it can damage the tissue in that area.
- If this drug is given through a cannula, and your child complains of stinging and burning around the cannula, please tell your doctor or nurse immediately.
- If this drug is given through a central venous catheter or implantable port and your child complains of pain around their chest or neck, please tell your doctor or nurse immediately.
Last reviewed by Great Ormond Street Hospital: November 2009
Ref: 09F0729 © GOSH Trust November 2009
Compiled by the Pharmacy Department in collaboration with the Child and Family Information Group, GOSH.
Please read this information in conjunction with any patient information leaflet provided by the manufacturer. However, please note that this information explains about the use of medicines in children and young people so may differ from the manufacturer’s information.
Each person reacts differently to medicines so your child will not necessarily suffer every side effect mentioned. This information does not constitute health or medical advice and will not necessarily reflect treatment at other hospitals. If you have any questions, please ask your doctor. No liability can be taken as a result of using this information.
