Explanation

Vincristin sulphate (also called Oncovin® and Vincristin®) is a medicine that kills cancer cells. It is a type of medicine called a cytotoxic.

What does it do?

Vincristin sulphate works by stopping cancer cells from multiplying. This helps to stop the cancer from growing or spreading around your body.

What does it look like?

Vincristin sulphate comes as a liquid in a small glass bottle. You have it as an injection, or through a tube into a vein in your arm. This is called an infusion.

When do I have it?

Your doctor will give you your vincristin sulphate in hospital. You will probably need to go and have an injection or infusion every week.

But what if I don't feel like having it?

You need to keep having your vincristin sulphate every week, until your doctor decides to stop treating you with it. If you stop having it then your cancer could get worse.

It's really important to keep having it, even if it's making you feel sick and horrible. Just remember, you won't have to take it forever. Keep thinking about all the cancer cells it's killing inside you! Each cancer cell it kills is one more step towards getting better.

What should I do if I forget to have it?

You will often be in hospital when you have vincristin sulphate, so your doctor will make sure that you have it at the right times. If you aren't staying in hospital, you will need to go in at the right time for your treatment. Your parents or an adult looking after you will be able to take you.

How much will I have?

Your doctor will decide how much vincristin sulphate you will need to have. This depends on how much you weigh and how old you are.

The right dose is important. It's the best way to beat your cancer, without getting side effects.

What side effects might I get while I am having vincristin sulphate?

Not everyone gets side effects from vincristin sulphate, but if you do, the ones you are most likely to have are:

Seizures

Problems hearing

Getting bad eyesight

Aching bones or muscles

Feeling dizzy

Having a temperature

Skin rash or sores on your skin or in your mouth

Losing weight

Numbness or pins and needles

Problems walking or talking

Weak muscles

Your eyes moving unusually

Weeing more, or less, than usual, or feeling pain when you wee

Problems breathing

Raised or lowered blood pressure

Headache

Feeling tired

Getting bruises easily

A sore tummy

Finding it difficult to poo (constipation)

Runny poo (diarrhoea)

Being sick (nausea) or feeling sick

Losing your hair (but don't worry, your hair usually grows back after treatment is stopped)

It could be sore around the area where your vincristin sulphate is injected

If you notice these or any other side effects, tell your doctor or an adult who looks after you.

What other side effects might I get?

Vincristin sulphate can cause other side effects. You should tell you doctor straight away if you notice:

An allergic reaction

Any pain or swelling at the place where your vincristin sulphate is injected

Pain in your chest, which might spread up to your jaw or arm. This might happen with sweating, feeling sick or having problems breathing

Serious problems breathing

Are there any other side effects you haven't mentioned?

Girls might stop having periods while having vincristin sulphate, but they will come back again after the treatment is stopped.

Is it safe for me to be taking vincristin sulphate?

Before you have vincristin sulphate, tell your doctor about any other medical problems that you know you have. This is especially important if you have a rare illness called Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome, which affects your nerves.

If you know that you are allergic to vincristin sulphate tell your doctor.

Is it okay for me to have vincristin sulphate if I'm already taking other medicine?

You should tell your doctor about any other medicines that you are taking, or have taken, recently, including herbal medicines. It's especially important to mention if you are taking:

Allopurinol for gout (an illness that makes your joints sore)

Pyridoxine, which is also called vitamin B6

Isoniazid, which is used to treat tuberculosis (TB)

Mitomycin-C or L-asparaginase to treat cancer

Itraconazole, which is used to treat fungal infections

Cancer medicines that contain a metal called platinum

Medicines that make it difficult to wee

Medicines that affect your central nervous system

Phenytoin, which is used to control seizures

Is there anything else I need to know about vincristin sulphate?

When you are having vincristin sulphate, your doctor will give you regular blood tests to check if your blood cells and/or liver are working properly.

What if I have any more questions?

If you have any other questions, you can ask your doctor, or chat to other people with cancer in the Medikidz forums and virtual world, Mediland.