Vincristine – Vincasar PFS®

Vincristine - Vincasar PFS®

Usual Diluents

Dilution Data

Caution: It is extremely important that the intravenous needle or catheter be properly positioned before any vincristine is injected. Leakage into surrounding tissue during intravenous administration of Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP may cause considerable irritation. If extravasation occurs, the injection should be discontinued immediately and any remaining portion of the dose should then be introduced into another vein. Local injection of hyaluronidase and the application of moderate heat to the area of leakage will help disperse the drug and may minimize discomfort and the possibility of cellulitis.

Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP must be administered via an intact, free–flowing intravenous needle or catheter. Care should be taken that there is no leakage or swelling occurring during administration (see boxed Warnings)1.

The concentration of Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP is 1 mg/mL. Do not add extra fluid to the vial prior to removal of the dose. Withdraw the solution of Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP into an accurate dry syringe, measuring the dose carefully. Do not add extra fluid to the vial in an attempt to empty it completely.

The solution may be injected either directly into a vein or into the tubing of a running intravenous infusion (see Drug Interactions below). Injection of Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP should be accomplished within 1 minute.

Drug Interactions - Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP should not be diluted in solutions that raise or lower the pH outside the range of 3.5 to 5.5. It should not be mixed with anything other than normal saline or glucose in water1.

ADMINISTRATION 2:  
Usual: short 5 to 10 minute infusion (preferred).  Alternatively, administer as a slow (1-2 minutes) push or by a 24-hour continuous infusions (review literature for individual protocols)2.

Other: 
IV Admixture 2: Short infusion: 25 to 50ml NS or D5W  [ stable for 7 days (REF) or 2 days (RT)].

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
The mechanisms of action of vincristine sulfate remain under investigation. The mechanism of action of vincristine sulfate has been related to the inhibition of microtubule formation in mitotic spindle, resulting in an arrest of dividing cells at the metaphase stage.

Central nervous system leukemia has been reported in patients undergoing otherwise successful therapy with vincristine sulfate. This suggests that vincristine does not penetrate well into the cerebrospinal fluid.

Pharmacokinetic studies in patients with cancer have shown a triphasic serum decay pattern following rapid intravenous injection. The initial, middle and terminal half–lives are 5 minutes, 2.3 hours, and 85 hours respectively; however, the range of the terminal half–life in humans is from 19 to 155 hours. The liver is the major excretory organ in humans and animals. The metabolism of vinca alkaloids has been shown to be mediated by hepatic cytochrome P450 isoenzymes in the CYP 3A subfamily. This metabolic pathway may be impaired in patients with hepatic dysfunction or who are taking concomitant potent inhibitors of these isoenzymes (see Precautions). About 80% of an injected dose of vincristine sulfate appears in the feces and 10% to 20% can be found in the urine. Within 15 to 30 minutes after injection, over 90% of the drug is distributed from the blood into tissue, where it remains tightly, but not irreversibly, bound.

Current principles of cancer chemotherapy involve the simultaneous use of several agents. Generally, each agent used has a unique toxicity and mechanism of action so that therapeutic enhancement occurs without additive toxicity. It is rarely possible to achieve equally good results with single–agent methods of treatment. Thus, vincristine sulfate is often chosen as part of polychemotherapy because of lack of significant bone–marrow suppression (at recommended doses) and of unique clinical toxicity (neuropathy). See Dosage and Administration section for possible increased toxicity when used in combination therapy.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Vincristine sulfate injection is indicated in acute leukemia.

Vincristine sulfate injection has also been shown to be useful in combination with other oncolytic agents in Hodgkin’s disease, non–Hodgkin’s malignant lymphomas (lymphocytic, mixed cell, histiocytic, undifferentiated, nodular and diffuse types), rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, and Wilms’ tumor.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
This preparation is for intravenous use only (see Warnings).

Neurotoxicity appears to be dose related. Extreme care must be used in calculating and administering the dose of Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP since overdosage may have a very serious or fatal outcome.

Special Dispensing Information:   WHEN DISPENSING VINCRISTINE SULFATE INJECTION, USP IN OTHER THAN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT IT BE PACKAGED IN THE PROVIDED OVERWRAP WHICH BEARS THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: “DO NOT REMOVE COVERING UNTIL MOMENT OF INJECTION. FATAL IF GIVEN INTRATHECALLY. FOR INTRAVENOUS USE ONLY” (see Warnings). A syringe containing a specific dose must be labeled, using the auxiliary sticker provided, to state: “FATAL IF GIVEN INTRATHECALLY. FOR INTRAVENOUS USE ONLY.”

The concentration of Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP is 1 mg/mL. Do not add extra fluid to the vial prior to removal of the dose. Withdraw the solution of Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP into an accurate dry syringe, measuring the dose carefully. Do not add extra fluid to the vial in an attempt to empty it completely.

Caution: It is extremely important that the intravenous needle or catheter be properly positioned before any vincristine is injected. Leakage into surrounding tissue during intravenous administration of Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP may cause considerable irritation. If extravasation occurs, the injection should be discontinued immediately and any remaining portion of the dose should then be introduced into another vein. Local injection of hyaluronidase and the application of moderate heat to the area of leakage will help disperse the drug and may minimize discomfort and the possibility of cellulitis.

Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP must be administered via an intact, free–flowing intravenous needle or catheter. Care should be taken that there is no leakage or swelling occurring during administration (see boxed Warnings).

The solution may be injected either directly into a vein or into the tubing of a running intravenous infusion (see Drug Interactions below). Injection of Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP should be accomplished within 1 minute.

The drug is administered intravenously at weekly intervals.

The usual dose of Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP for pediatric patients is 1.5-2 mg/m2. For pediatric patients weighing 10 kg or less, the starting dose should be 0.05 mg/kg, administered once a week. The usual dose of Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP for adults is 1.4 mg/m2. A 50% reduction in the dose of Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP is recommended for patients having a direct serum bilirubin value above 3 mg/100 mL.

Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP should not be given to patients while they are receiving radiation therapy through ports that include the liver. When Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP is used in combination with L–asparaginase, Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP should be given 12 to 24 hours before administration of the enzyme in order to minimize toxicity; administering L–asparaginase before Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP may reduce hepatic clearance of vincristine.

Drug Interactions – Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP should not be diluted in solutions that raise or lower the pH outside the range of 3.5 to 5.5. It should not be mixed with anything other than normal saline or glucose in water.

Whenever solution and container permit, parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration.

Handling and Disposal – Procedures for proper handling and disposal of anticancer drugs should be considered. Several guidelines on this subject have been published. There is no general agreement that all of the procedures recommended in the guidelines are necessary or appropriate.

HOW SUPPLIED
Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP, preservative free solution.

NDC 61703–309–06 1 mg, 1 mg/1 mL (single use), flip–top vial (blue cap)
NDC 61703–309–16 2 mg, 2 mg/2 mL (single use), flip–top vial (blue cap)

This product should be refrigerated between 2°–8°C (36°– 46°F). Discard unused solution. Protect from light. Store Upright.

2) Solimando, Dominic A. Drug Information Handbook for Oncology: A Complete Guide to Combination Chemotherapy Regimens, 8th ed. Hudson, OH: Lexi-Comp, Inc.; 2010.