vindesine sulfate at a glance
Medicine class
Vinca alkaloid and mitosis inhibitor
Licensed uses
Selected resistant or advanced leukaemia, melanoma and breast cancer
Administration
Given into a vein by staff experienced in cytotoxic treatment
Key monitoring
Blood counts, neurological effects, bowel function and the injection site
What is vindesine sulfate used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for these cancers when specified earlier treatments have failed or the disease is resistant:
Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia resistant to other medicines
Blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukaemia
Malignant melanoma unresponsive to other treatment
Advanced breast carcinoma unresponsive to appropriate endocrine surgery or hormonal treatment
How does vindesine sulfate work?
Vindesine binds to tubulin and disrupts microtubules, which cells need to separate chromosomes during division. This arrests cells in metaphase and particularly affects rapidly dividing cancer cells, although healthy dividing cells and nerves can also be affected.
vindesine sulfate preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 5 mg
How to take vindesine sulfate
Vindesine sulfate is prepared and administered in hospital by trained staff. It must enter a vein and must never be injected into the spine or by another route.
Tell staff immediately about pain, burning or swelling during administration.
The powder is reconstituted before use and must not be mixed with another medicine.
Attend blood tests and treatment appointments arranged by the cancer team.
vindesine sulfate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Hair loss
- Reduced white blood cells
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet and reduced reflexes
- Nausea or vomiting
- Constipation
- Sore mouth, reduced appetite or difficulty swallowing
- Tiredness, fever or chills
- Injection-site irritation
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever or other signs of infection associated with low white blood cells
- Severe constipation, abdominal pain or inability to pass stool, which may indicate ileus
- Sudden breathlessness or severe wheezing, particularly with mitomycin-C
- Seizures or marked neurological changes
- New hearing loss, severe dizziness or balance disturbance
- Pain, swelling, blistering or skin damage from leakage outside the vein
- Unusual bleeding or bruising associated with low platelets
vindesine sulfate in pregnancy
Safety in pregnancy has not been established, and animal studies suggest possible harm to the developing baby. Treatment requires an individual benefit–risk decision involving oncology and obstetric specialists. Tell the cancer team immediately about pregnancy, suspected pregnancy or plans to conceive.
vindesine sulfate while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not normally recommended during treatment because serious effects in the infant cannot be excluded. Ask the oncology and maternity teams when breastfeeding could safely begin after treatment.
vindesine sulfate interactions
The oncology team should review all prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary products before treatment.
Mitomycin-C
The combination has been associated with acute breathlessness and severe bronchospasm, particularly in people with existing lung dysfunction.
Phenytoin
Anticancer treatment may lower phenytoin concentrations and increase seizure risk, so clinical and concentration monitoring may be needed.
Potent CYP3A inhibitors
Inhibition of hepatic metabolism may cause earlier or more severe vindesine toxicity.
Common questions about vindesine sulfate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
How is vindesine sulfate given?
It is prepared and administered into a vein by trained healthcare professionals in a specialist cancer service.
Why must it never be injected into the spine?
Intrathecal administration can cause ascending paralysis and is usually fatal. Vinca alkaloids are for intravenous use only.
Why are blood tests needed?
Vindesine can reduce granulocytes and platelets. Blood counts help identify marrow toxicity and infection or bleeding risk before further treatment.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.