A vinca-alkaloid chemotherapy
Vindesine
A chemotherapy medicine from the vinca-alkaloid group, given into a vein to treat certain cancers.
What is Vindesine?
Vindesine is a specialist chemotherapy from a group called vinca alkaloids, used to treat certain cancers. It works by stopping cancer cells from dividing. Its main side effects are nerve damage in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy) and a fall in blood cells. A critical safety point is that it must ONLY ever be given into a vein: giving it into the spine (intrathecally) is fatal. It is also a vesicant, meaning it causes severe tissue damage if it leaks out of the vein. It is always given by a cancer team.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Vindesine — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Vindesine is a chemotherapy medicine belonging to the vinca-alkaloid group, which are derived from the periwinkle plant. It is used to treat certain cancers under the close care of a cancer (oncology) team. It is given only as an injection into a vein. It is a powerful medicine with important safety rules: it must never be given into the spine, and it can cause severe tissue damage if it leaks out of the vein during the injection. Because of these risks, it is handled and given only by specialist teams trained in chemotherapy.
How it works
Cancer cells grow by dividing. To divide, a cell has to pull its copied chromosomes apart using tiny internal scaffolding fibres called microtubules. Vindesine blocks these microtubules from working, so the cell cannot complete division and dies. Because it affects dividing cells, it also affects healthy fast-growing cells, particularly in the bone marrow, which is why it can lower blood counts. Its effect on nerves causes the tingling and weakness in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy) that is typical of this group of medicines.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturers.
A specialist chemotherapy from the vinca-alkaloid group, given only into a vein under cancer specialist care.
Practical use
How to take Vindesine
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given only by your cancer team, as an injection into a vein; it must never be given into the spine.
- Tell the team straight away if you feel pain, burning, redness or swelling at the injection site, as the medicine can damage tissue if it leaks.
- Report numbness, tingling or weakness in your hands or feet, as these nerve effects may need the dose to be changed.
- Contact your cancer team urgently if you develop a high temperature or feel unwell, as this may be a serious infection.
- Tell your team about constipation, which is common, so it can be managed.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Vindesine
Advantages
- An established chemotherapy option for certain cancers.
- Given by an experienced cancer team with careful monitoring.
- Works by a well-understood mechanism shared with other vinca alkaloids.
Disadvantages
- Fatal if given into the spine, so strict safety checks are essential.
- A vesicant that causes severe tissue damage if it leaks out of the vein.
- Commonly causes nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), constipation and a fall in blood cells.
Practical use
Good to know
The single most important safety fact about vindesine, as with all vinca alkaloids, is that it must ONLY be given into a vein and NEVER into the spine: an intrathecal injection is fatal. It is given only by specialist teams with strict checks to prevent this. It is also a vesicant, meaning that if it leaks out of the vein it can cause serious damage to the surrounding tissue, so any pain, redness or swelling at the injection site during treatment should be reported immediately. The other main effects to expect are nerve symptoms, such as tingling, numbness or weakness in the hands and feet and constipation, and a fall in blood cells that raises the risk of infection. Your cancer team will monitor your nerves and blood counts and adjust treatment accordingly.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- It must never be given to anyone by injection into the spine, as this is fatal.
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to vindesine should not receive it.
- It is not used in pregnancy or breastfeeding, as it can harm a developing baby.
- It is used with great care in people with significant nerve problems or whose bone marrow is already very suppressed.
Monitoring
- Regular full blood counts before and during treatment.
- Checking for nerve symptoms such as tingling, numbness, weakness and constipation.
- Watching the injection site closely during the infusion for any sign of leakage.
Side effects
- Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), causing tingling, numbness or weakness in the hands and feet.
- A fall in white blood cells, red cells and platelets, raising the risk of infection, tiredness and bleeding.
- Constipation, which can be troublesome, and hair loss.
- Rarely but seriously, severe tissue damage if it leaks from the vein, or serious infection, which need urgent care.
Key interactions
- Other medicines that affect the nerves can add to the risk of nerve damage.
- Other treatments that lower blood counts, such as other chemotherapy or radiotherapy, add to its effects.
- Some medicines can affect vindesine levels, so your team will review everything you take.
Available as: A solution given only as an injection into a vein.
Answers
Vindesine: frequently asked questions
What is vindesine used for?
It is a vinca-alkaloid chemotherapy used to treat certain cancers, working by stopping cancer cells from dividing.
Why must it only be given into a vein?
Vinca alkaloids like vindesine are fatal if given into the spine, so it must only ever be given into a vein, with strict safety checks to prevent a wrong route.
What happens if it leaks from the vein?
It is a vesicant, meaning it can cause severe tissue damage if it leaks out of the vein, so report any pain, redness or swelling at the site immediately.
Why do my hands and feet tingle?
Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) is a common effect of this group of medicines, causing tingling, numbness or weakness; tell your team so the dose can be reviewed.
What should I do if I feel unwell?
A high temperature or feeling unwell can be a sign of serious infection while your blood counts are low; contact your cancer team urgently.
The wider class
About Cytotoxic chemotherapy (vinca alkaloid)
Vindesine belongs to the cytotoxic chemotherapy (vinca alkaloid) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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