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Vinkristin: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Vinkristin - General Information

Antitumor alkaloid isolated from Vinca Rosea. (Merck, 11th ed.)

 

Pharmacology of Vinkristin

Vinkristin is a vinca alkaloid antineoplastic agent used as a treatment for various cancers including breast cancer, Hodgkin's disease, Kaposi's sarcoma, and testicular cancer. The vinca alkaloids are structurally similar compounds comprised of 2 multiringed units, vindoline and catharanthine. The vinca alkaloids have become clinically useful since the discovery of their antitumour properties in 1959. Initially, extracts of the periwinkle plant (Catharanthus roseus) were investigated because of putative hypoglycemic properties, but were noted to cause marrow suppression in rats and antileukemic effects in vitro. Vinkristin binds to the microtubular proteins of the mitotic spindle, leading to crystallization of the microtubule and mitotic arrest or cell death. Vinkristin has some immunosuppressant effect. The vinca alkaloids are considered to be cell cycle phase-specific.

 

Vinkristin for patients

PATIENT INFORMATION Follow the links https://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/vincristine_wcp.htm https://www.drugs.com/cons/Vincristine.html

 

Vinkristin Interactions

The simultaneous oral or intravenous administration of phenytoin and antineoplastic chemotherapy combinations that included vincristine sulfate has been reported to reduce blood levels of the anticonvulsant and to increase seizure activity. Dosage adjustment should be based on serial blood level monitoring. The contribution of vincristine sulfate to this interaction is not certain. The interaction may result from reduced absorption of phenytoin and an increase in the rate of its metabolism and elimination.

 

Vinkristin Contraindications

Patients with the demyelinating form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome would not be given vincristine sulfate injection.

 

Additional information about Vinkristin

Vinkristin Indication: For treatment of acute leukaemia, malignant lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, acute erythraemia, acute panmyelosis Mechanism Of Action: The antitumor activity of Vinkristin is thought to be due primarily to inhibition of mitosis at metaphase through its interaction with tubulin. Like other vinca alkaloids, Vinkristin may also interfere with: 1) amino acid, cyclic AMP, and glutathione metabolism, 2) calmodulin-dependent Ca2+-transport ATPase activity, 3) cellular respiration, and 4) nucleic acid and lipid biosynthesis. Drug Interactions: Not Available Food Interactions: Not Available Generic Name: Vincristine Synonyms: VCR; VIN; LCR; Leurocristine; 22-Oxovincaleukoblastine; Indole alkaloid; Vincristina [DCIT]; Vincristine Sulfate; Vincristinum [INN-Latin]; Vincrstine; Vincrystine; Z-D-Val-Lys(Z)-OH Drug Category: Antineoplastic Agents Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved; Investigational Other Brand Names containing Vincristine: Onco TCS; Oncovin; Vincasar; Vincasar PFS; Vincrex; Vincristine Sulfate PFS; Vinkristin; Absorption: Not Available Toxicity (Overdose): IVN-RAT LD50 1300 mg/kg; IPR-MUS LD50 5.2 mg/kg Protein Binding: ~75% Biotransformation: Hepatic Half Life: 19-155 hours Dosage Forms of Vinkristin: Solution IntravenousLiquid Intravenous Chemical IUPAC Name: Not Available Chemical Formula: C46H56N4O10 Vincristine on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincristine Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals