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Vincristine (Vincristine Sulfate) - Description and Clinical Pharmacology

 
 



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DESCRIPTION

Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP is the salt of an alkaloid obtained from a common flowering herb, the periwinkle plant ( Vinca rosea Linn). Originally known as leurocristine, it has also been referred to as LCR and VCR.

The molecular formula for Vincristine Sulfate, USP is C46H56N4O10•H2SO4. It has a molecular weight of 923.04.

The structural formula is as follows:

Vincristine Sulfate, USP is a white to off–white powder. It is soluble in methanol, freely soluble in water, but only slightly soluble in 95% ethanol. In 98% ethanol, Vincristine Sulfate, USP has an ultraviolet spectrum with maxima at 221 nm (∈+47,100).

Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP is a sterile, preservative–free, single use only solution available for intravenous use in 2 mL (1 mg and 2 mg) vials. Each mL contains 1 mg Vincristine Sulfate, USP, 100 mg mannitol and Water for Injection, USP. Q.S. Sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide have been added for pH control. The pH of Vincristine Sulfate Injection, USP ranges from 4.0 to 5.0. At the time of manufacture, the air in the containers is replaced by nitrogen.

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.

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