Vinlon 1mg Injection contains Vincristine sulphate, a chemotherapy medicine that belongs to a group called vinca alkaloids. It is made from a compound originally found in the periwinkle plant. Vinlon 1mg Injection is supplied as a single vial, needs to be kept refrigerated (cold chain), and is marketed by Celon Laboratories.

Vinlon 1mg Injection is used to treat several cancers of the blood and other tissues, often together with other anticancer medicines. It must be given only into a vein, by a healthcare professional experienced in cancer treatment. It is fatal if given by any other route, including into the spinal fluid.

Vinlon 1mg Injection may be prescribed to:

• Treat leukaemia: It is used in acute leukaemia, including in children, usually as part of a combination of medicines.

• Treat lymphomas: It is used in Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, together with other medicines.

• Treat childhood and solid tumours: It is used in cancers such as rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma and Wilms tumour, and, in some regimens, in cancers of the breast, head and neck, or lung.

• Treat multiple myeloma: It may be used in some regimens for this cancer of plasma cells.

• Treat idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP): It may be used in this blood disorder after other treatments have not worked.

Your oncologist will decide the regimen, the dose and the number of treatment cycles for your condition.

Vinlon 1mg Injection contains Vincristine, which binds to a protein called tubulin and stops cells from forming microtubules. Microtubules are the tiny fibres that cells use to divide.

When they cannot form, dividing cells stop at an early stage of cell division and eventually die. Because cancer cells divide quickly, they are affected more than most normal cells. Vincristine does not usually cause strong bone marrow suppression at standard doses, which is why it is often chosen as part of combination treatment.

Tell your doctor about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements and herbal products you are taking.

• Itraconazole and other azole antifungals (voriconazole, posaconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole): They can raise Vincristine levels and cause earlier or more severe nerve side effects.

• Phenytoin: Vincristine and other chemotherapy can lower phenytoin levels and increase the risk of seizures, so blood levels need monitoring.

• L-asparaginase: It can slow the clearance of Vincristine. Vincristine is usually given 12 to 24 hours before it.

• Mitomycin-C: The combination can cause sudden breathlessness and severe bronchospasm.

• Platinum chemotherapy and other nerve-toxic or hearing-toxic medicines: They can add to nerve and hearing damage.

• Isoniazid and some other medicines that affect the nerves: They can add to nerve side effects.

• Live vaccines: They should be avoided, as the immune system is weakened.

• Growth factor medicines (G-CSF): Using them at the same time may reduce blood cell production, so the timing is planned by your care team.

• Radiotherapy to the liver: Vincristine should not be given at the same time.

• St. John’s wort: It should be used with caution.

Do not start or stop any medicine without medical advice.

• Store Vinlon 1mg Injection in a refrigerator, between 2°C and 8°C.

• Keep the vial in the original carton to protect it from light, and store it upright.

• Do not freeze the vial.

• Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

• Do not use the injection after the expiry date printed on the pack, or if the solution looks cloudy or contains particles.

• Discard any unused solution and dispose of used items safely as cytotoxic waste.

• Follow the storage instructions printed on the product packaging.

Vinlon 1mg Injection must be given only into a vein, by a healthcare professional experienced in giving chemotherapy. It must never be taken by mouth, injected into the spine or given by any other route.

It is usually given once a week, as an injection into a vein or as a short drip. The dose is worked out from your body surface area and your liver function, and it is lower for people with raised bilirubin.

• Your care team will make sure the needle or cannula is properly in the vein before the medicine is given. Tell the nurse or doctor at once if you feel pain, burning or swelling at the injection site.

• A blood count is checked before each dose, and your nerves and bowel function are checked regularly.

• You will usually be given a laxative plan to prevent constipation, which is a common problem.

• If you miss an appointment, contact your oncology team. Do not ask for a double dose.

• If the medicine gets into your eye, tell your nurse or doctor immediately so it can be washed out.

• Vinlon 1mg Injection should not be given during radiotherapy that includes the liver.

Common side effects of Vinlon 1mg Injection may include:

• Hair loss, which usually grows back after treatment

• Constipation and stomach cramps

• Nausea and vomiting

• Loss of appetite and weight loss

• Numbness, tingling or burning in the hands and feet

• Muscle weakness or muscle wasting

• Pain in the jaw, throat, bones or limbs

• Difficulty walking or a change in the way you walk

• Low blood counts, including anaemia and low platelets

• Mouth sores

• Headache and fever

• Problems passing urine

• Tiredness

Nerve effects often build up with repeated doses and may improve slowly after treatment ends. Report them early, as the dose may need to be changed.

Serious side effects

Seek medical attention if you develop:

• Severe constipation, swollen or painful abdomen, or vomiting, which may be a blocked bowel (paralytic ileus).

• Pain, swelling, redness or blistering at the injection site, which may be leakage into the tissue.

• Severe nerve problems such as foot drop, loss of balance, severe pain, hoarse voice or difficulty breathing from weak vocal cords.

• Fits (seizures), confusion or severe headache, or low sodium causing confusion and weakness.

• Sudden shortness of breath, wheezing or chest tightness.

• Fever, chills or signs of infection.

• Unusual bleeding or bruising.

• Yellowing of the skin or eyes, or swelling of the abdomen.

• Chest pain or irregular heartbeat.

• Changes in vision or hearing.

• A severe allergic reaction with swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing.

• Difficulty passing urine.

• Vinlon 1mg Injection is given only into a vein. Make sure your treatment team knows this and that it is clearly labelled.

• Follow the laxative and fluid plan your team gives you, and tell them early if you are constipated.

• Report numbness, tingling, weakness, jaw pain or difficulty walking early.

• Tell your team about every medicine you take, especially antifungals and phenytoin.

• Avoid live vaccines during treatment.

• Use effective contraception for the period your doctor advises.

• Take care to avoid infection, and report fever promptly.

• Be careful with falls, as nerve problems can affect balance.

• Keep all blood test and follow-up appointments.

• Talk to your doctor about fertility preservation before treatment if you may want children later.