Side Effects

Side Effects of Vincristine Injection

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can have side effects, although not everybody gets them. If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately: • severe allergic reaction – you may experience a sudden itchy rash (hives), swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth or throat (which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing), and you may feel you are going to faint. • pain or swelling at the injection site during or immediately after the injection • severe chest pains possibly radiating to the jaw or arm, sweating, breathlessness and nausea • severe breathing problems or shortness of breath • symptoms suggestive of sepsis – these may include a high fever or low temperature, shivering, fast heartbeat, rapid breathing, feeling faint, skin changes (cold, clammy and mottled or pale), altered mental state such as confusion or disorientation, decreased urination, nausea, vomiting etc. The presence of a few or several of these symptoms coupled with a rapid deterioration of general condition might indicate sepsis and immediate medical attention should be sought. These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. All of these serious side effects are rare. If any of the following happen, tell your doctor as soon as possible: • convulsions (fits) • deafness or hearing loss • worsening eyesight • pain (may involve the side of the face, jaw, throat, neck, bones or muscles) Page 4 of 7 • dizziness • fever, sore throat, skin rashes, or sores on your body and mouth ulcers (may indicate a drop in white blood cells) • significant weight loss • numbness or pins and needles • difficulty in walking • muscle weakness or muscle wasting • difficulty with speech • unusual eye movements • problems with passing water (more or less urine than normal, or pain when passing urine) • mild breathing problems • raised or lowered blood pressure • headache • tiredness • unexpected bruises • stomach cramps, constipation or diarrhoea • being sick or feeling sick • hair loss • soreness around the injection site after the injection • infections with germs • loss of appetite Vincristine sulfate may lead to changes in your blood cells, including a type of anaemia in which red blood cells are destroyed (haemolytic anaemia). Your doctor may take blood samples to monitor for these and also to check how well your liver is working. There have been reports of other malignancies (cancers) occurring at a later date after vincristine has been used in combination with other anti-cancer drugs. This happens rarely. Effects on fertility Treatment with vincristine sulfate may permanently reduce fertility in men and women. Tell your doctor if you have concerns. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.