vincristine

Also known as 22-oxovincaleukoblastine, kyocristine, leurocristine sulfate, NSC-67574, Oncovin®, leurocristine, Leurocristine, Vincristin

Vincristine, also known as leurocristine and sold under the brand name Oncovin among others, is a chemotherapy medication used to treat a number of types of cancer. This includes acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, neuroblastoma, and small cell lung cancer among others. It is given intravenously.

Key facts

Drug.width: 240
Drug.Verifiedfields: changed
Drug.Watchedfields: changed
Drug.verifiedrevid: 461759697
Drug.image: Vincristine.svg
Drug.image_class: skin-invert-image
Drug.bioavailability: n/a (not reliably absorbed by the GI tract)
Drug.protein_bound: ~44%
Drug.metabolism: Liver, mostly via CYP3A4 and CYP3A5
Drug.elimination_half life: 19 to 155 hours (mean: 85 hours)
Drug.excretion: Faeces (70–80%), urine (10–20%)
Drug.IUPHAR_ligand: 6785

~11 min read

Article

13 sections

Contents

Medical uses
Side effects
Mechanism of action
Chemistry
History
Society and culture
Suppliers
Shortage
Controversy
Pharmaceutical bioprospecting
Vincristine and confusion with other drugs in administration
Research
References

Most people experience some side effects from vincristine treatment. Commonly it causes a change in sensation, hair loss, constipation, difficulty walking, and headaches. Serious side effects may include neuropathic pain, lung damage, or low white blood cells which increases the risk of infection. Use during pregnancy may result in birth defects. It works by stopping cells from dividing properly. It is vital that it not be given intrathecally, as this may kill.