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| Pronunciation |
|
 (vin
KRIS
teen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Oncovin®[DSC]; Vincasar
PFS® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antineoplastic Agent, Natural Source (Plant) Derivative |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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|
This medicine is very strong. It may cause a significant change in
thinking clearly and logically. This medicine may cause pain in the hands or
feet. If you have a loss of feeling or painful sensation in your hands or feet,
talk with healthcare provider before starting this
medicine. |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
If you have an allergy to vincristine or any other part of this
medicine.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
If you have bone marrow disease.
If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
If you are breast-feeding. |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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This medicine is used to treat a variety of
cancers. |
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| How does it work? |
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Vincristine injures cancer cells causing their
death. |
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| How is it best taken? |
|
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This medicine is given as a shot into a vein.
Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink
less liquid by healthcare provider. |
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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Call healthcare provider for appointment. |
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin,
aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic,
ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
You will bleed easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush,
electric razor.
Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
Be careful about taking vaccinations while you are receiving this
medicine.
Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while
taking this medicine.
If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from
pregnancy. Use birth control that you can trust. |
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in
thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require
you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects
you.
Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
Mouth and lip irritation. Frequent mouth care with a soft toothbrush
or cotton swabs and rinsing mouth may help.
Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.
Infertility. |
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| What should I monitor? |
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Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
Side effects. Some side effects may occur several weeks after the
shot. Report them to healthcare provider.
Follow up with healthcare provider. |
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
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If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center
immediately or dial 911.
Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest
tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5
degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough,
increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that
will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
Numbness or tingling of hands or feet.
Severe constipation.
Feeling extremely tired or weak.
Significant change in balance.
Any rash.
No improvement in condition or feeling
worse. |
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will
not store it at home. |
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| General statements |
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Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products,
supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare
provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter, natural products, or
vitamins. |
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