Vincristine Sulfate Liposome injection

What is this medicine?

VINCRISTINE SULFATE LIPOSOME (vin KRIS teen SUL fate LIP uh sohm) is a chemotherapy drug. It slows the growth of cancer cells. This medicine is used to treat a certain type of acute lymphocytic leukemia.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• chest pain or chest tightness

• constipation

• light-colored stools

• loss of appetite, nausea

• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet

• right upper belly pain

• signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine

• signs of decreased red blood cells - unusually weak or tired, feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine

• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea

• general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms

• tiredness

• trouble sleeping

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• anti-retroviral protease inhibitors such as atazanavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir

• carbamazepine

• clarithromycin

• dalfopristin; quinupristin

• delavirdine

• dexamethasone

• isoniazid

• itraconazole

• ketoconazole

• nefazodone

• nicardipine

• phenytoin

• posaconazole

• rifabutin

• rifampin

• rifapentine

• St. John's Wort

• telithromycin

• voriconazole

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• cyclosporine

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• immune system problems

• infection (especially a virus infection such as chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)

• liver disease

• low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts

• nervous system disease like Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT)

• stomach or intestine problems

• tingling of the fingers or toes, or other nerve disorder

• an unusual or allergic reaction to vincristine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

This medicine will cause constipation. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2 to 3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your doctor or health care professional.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Men should inform their doctors if they wish to father a child. This medicine may lower sperm counts. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.

Avoid taking products that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your doctor. These medicines may hide a fever.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medicine.

Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.

This drug may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.