Vincristine is a drug used in the treatment of cancer. It interferes with the multiplication of cancer cells and slows or stops their growth and spread in the body.

Nausea & Vomiting: Vincristine usually does not cause nausea or vomiting. You will be offered medication to control it if it does occur.

Decreased blood counts (Bone Marrow Depression): Your bone marrow produces your blood cells. Vincristine can lower the number of white blood cells which guard against infections and platelets which prevent bleeding. See the handout on Bone Marrow Depression.

Sores in the mouth (stomatitis): Patients experience this in varying degrees, some have fever-blister like sores. You should report this to your doctor. It is important that you maintain good mouth care both to make you feel better and to prevent infections. See the handout on Mouth Care.

Loss of hair (Alopecia): Many patients temporarily lose their hair. This is because the hair cells are very fast growing, as are the cancer cells, and since Oncovin is aimed at the very fast growing cells, it also kills some of the hair cells. The hair will grow back. See the handout on hair loss.

Nervous system changes: You may experience some of the following symptoms: tingling sensation, muscle weakness, jaw pain, loss of coordination, unsteadiness, constipation. Report any changes to your doctor. Most patients taking this drug have some degree of constipation. You can usually control this by eating a diet high in roughage and using stool softeners and laxatives.