Vindesine Other names: Desacetylvinblastine Amide Sulfate

The safety of this product for use during pregnancy has not been established. Animal studies with vindesine suggest that teratogenic effects may occur. The benefit-to-risk ratio must be carefully considered before use in pregnant patients.

Vindesine should not normally be given to mothers who are breast-feeding.

Men and women should be advised regarding contraception during treatment with vindesine due to the potential risks involved.

Not applicable.

Prior to the use of the drug, patients and/or their parents/guardians should be advised of the possibility of untoward symptoms. Acute toxicity appears to be dose related and is more likely to occur if doses above 4mg/m² are employed. Granulocytopenia is usually the dose limiting factor. Neurotoxicity is common and appears to be related to the cumulative total dose given.

The following side effects have been reported:

Gastro-intestinal: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, stomatitis, vesiculation of the mouth, ileus, diarrhoea, anorexia, abdominal pain, dysphagia, dyspepsia, perforated duodenal ulcer (nausea and vomiting usually may be controlled by anti-emetic agents).

Neurological: Numbness and tingling of hands/feet (paraesthesia), peripheral neuritis, jaw pain, mental depression, loss of deep tendon reflexes, foot drop, headache, convulsions. Cortical blindness has been reported in patients treated with multiple agent chemotherapy that has included vindesine. The contribution of vindesine to this reaction is unknown. Treatment with vinca alkaloids has resulted rarely in both vestibular and auditory damage to the eighth cranial nerve. Manifestations include partial or total deafness, which may be temporary or permanent, and difficulties with balance, including dizziness, nystagmus and vertigo. Particular caution is warranted when vindesine sulphate is used in combination with other agents known to be ototoxic, such as the platinum-containing oncolytics.

Haematological: Granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis, mild anaemia.

Cutaneous: Alopecia from mild to total is the commonest side effect. Regrowth of hair may occur while still on therapy. Maculopapular rashes, cellulitis with extravasation. Injection site reaction.

Miscellaneous: Generalised musculoskeletal pain, malaise, chills and fevers, asthenia.