Cat & Dog - Vincristine

Why has my veterinary surgeon prescribed this medicine?

Vincristine is a chemotherapeutic drug used to treat cancer in animals. These drugs can cause cancer in humans and should be handled with caution. Vincristine may be prescribed with other chemotherapeutic drugs. It is important that the treatment course prescribed is correctly given.

Vincristine is not available as a veterinary preparation. Your veterinary surgeon may ask you to sign a consent form so a preparation licensed for humans can be used to treat your pet.

How do I give this medication?

Your veterinary surgeon will give this medication by injection to your pet.

Potential side effects

• Your veterinary surgeon will need to monitor your pet's blood to check the parameters. Tell your veterinary surgeon if you think your pet may be pregnant.
• Your pet may show signs of constipation with long-term treatment.
• Chemotherapeutics can increase your pet’s chance of getting an infection, so try to keep your pet away from stray animals or animals which may have an infection.
• Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinary surgeon.

Possible drug interactions

• Make sure to tell your veterinary surgeon what other medication you are giving to your pet.
• Quite often your veterinary surgeon may prescribe two different medications, and a drug interaction may be anticipated. In this case, your veterinary surgeon may vary the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
• Drugs may interact such that they can cause an increased or decreased effect or side effects. Although drug interactions may occur, it does not mean that there is necessarily a high risk of any of these occurring. The risk of serious drug interactions is low and should be kept in perspective.
• Contact your veterinary surgeon if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.