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Vincristine (Cytocristin, Oncovin): What to Expect

Medically reviewed by Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS (Gold Medal) · DNB · DM (Medical Oncology, Gold Medal) · Last reviewed September 2026

Vincristine commonly causes numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. This happens because the medicine affects the same protein in nerve cells that it targets in cancer cells. There is also one critical safety fact about this medicine that every patient receiving it should know.

Medically reviewed by Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS (Gold Medal) · DNB · DM (Medical Oncology, Gold Medal) · Last reviewed September 2026

Prescription-only medicine.

Vincristine is a prescription-only medicine administered by a specialist oncologist in a hospital setting. Nothing on this page can substitute for a specialist's clinical assessment, and this medicine cannot be started or modified on the basis of anything read here. It is not suitable for everyone — see who this is not for below.

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In short

Vincristine — sold in India as Cytocristin and Oncovin — disrupts a protein called tubulin that cells need to divide. The same protein maintains nerve fibres, which is why numbness and tingling in the hands and feet is common. This nerve effect directly guides dosing decisions, so tell your team about any worsening.

In detail

What is vincristine and why has it been prescribed?

Vincristine is a chemotherapy medicine derived from the periwinkle plant. Its generic name is vincristine; in India it is available under the brand names Cytocristin and Oncovin. It belongs to a group called vinca alkaloids.

It works by binding to a protein called tubulin. Cells need tubulin to physically pull copied chromosomes apart during division. When this is blocked, the dividing cell cannot complete the process and dies.

It is given by intravenous infusion — into a vein — typically as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen. It is used in certain leukaemias, lymphomas and some solid tumours.

In detail

Why does vincristine cause numbness and tingling in the hands and feet?

The tubulin that vincristine disrupts in cancer cells is also essential in nerve cells. Nerve fibres rely on tubulin to transport proteins and signals along their length. When this transport is disrupted, the longest fibres — those reaching the toes and fingertips — are affected first.

This produces a characteristic pattern: numbness and tingling that begins at the tips of the toes and fingers and may gradually extend upward. Some people also notice mild weakness or difficulty with buttons and small objects. This is called a glove-and-stocking distribution.

Because this nerve effect is one of the main factors that limits how much vincristine can be given safely, your team needs to know about any change. Tell them at every appointment, even if the change seems minor to you.

Eligibility

Who should not receive vincristine?

Vincristine is not appropriate for everyone. Groups for whom it is typically not used, or used only with careful specialist review, include:

People with significant pre-existing peripheral neuropathy, because vincristine is likely to worsen nerve damage that is already present.
People with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease or other hereditary demyelinating neuropathiesVincristine is considered contraindicated in these conditions by major oncology guidelines.
People who are pregnant, because vincristine can harm a developing foetus. Effective contraception during and after treatment is advised for both men and women of childbearing potential.
People who are breastfeeding at the time of treatment.
People who have had a serious hypersensitivity reaction to vincristine or to another vinca alkaloid.

This list is not exhaustive. Eligibility is decided by an oncologist based on the individual's full clinical picture, including existing nerve function, other medicines being taken, and organ health.

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Checklist

What side effects should I tell my team about?

Numbness or tingling that is new or getting worseEspecially in the toes and fingers — this directly affects dose decisions.
Weakness in your hands, feet or legsDifficulty gripping, dropping things, or weakness when walking.
Balance problems or difficulty walkingTripping or unsteadiness that is new since starting treatment.
No bowel movement for two days or moreVincristine affects the autonomic nerves that control the bowel.
Jaw or face pain in the first day or two after infusionA recognised short-term effect that is worth mentioning.
Pain, redness, swelling or burning at the infusion siteTell your nurse immediately during the infusion — vincristine can damage tissue if it leaks outside the vein.

In detail

Why must vincristine never be injected into the spine?

Vincristine must only be given into a vein. If it is accidentally injected into the fluid around the spinal cord — a route called intrathecal — it causes rapidly progressive neurological injury that is fatal. The World Health Organization and international patient safety bodies have documented this as one of the most serious known medication errors.

This matters because vincristine is sometimes given on the same day and in the same setting as intrathecal methotrexate, a different medicine that is correctly given into the spine for certain conditions. Confusion between the two has caused deaths in hospitals across the world.

Before any injection, you are entitled to ask: 'Is this going into my vein?' Your team expects and welcomes the question. Hospitals that treat cancer follow specific protocols around how vincristine is labelled, packaged and checked precisely to prevent this error.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Will the numbness and tingling go away after treatment ends?

For many people it gradually improves over weeks to months after vincristine is stopped, but the timeline varies between individuals. In some people mild symptoms persist longer term. How much recovery occurs depends partly on how severe the neuropathy became and how early changes were reported during treatment — which is why telling your team about worsening numbness matters while treatment is still happening, not afterwards. Ask your oncologist what recovery typically looks like for your specific treatment plan.

How do I know if the tingling I feel is serious or just normal?

There is no tingling from vincristine that your team would rather not hear about. The question is always whether it is changing. New symptoms, symptoms that have spread upward from the toes or fingers, or tingling that has become weakness are all things to report before your next scheduled appointment rather than waiting. If it started after your last infusion and seems to be settling, mention it at your next visit. If it is worsening, call your team now rather than waiting.

Why am I constipated? Is this also from vincristine?

Yes. Vincristine affects autonomic nerve fibres — the nerves that regulate automatic body functions including the movement of the bowel. Constipation is a recognised effect for this reason, and it is separate from the numbness and tingling in the limbs. Tell your team if you have not had a bowel movement for two days or more. They may advise a stool softener or laxative; do not self-medicate without asking first, as some medicines interact with chemotherapy.

Can I still drive or do my normal activities during treatment?

This depends on whether your balance or fine motor skills are affected. If you notice any weakness, unsteadiness, or difficulty with foot and leg movements while driving, stop driving and tell your team. Many people continue daily activities without difficulty, particularly early in treatment, but this can change as treatment continues. Your oncologist and nursing team are the right people to advise on what is safe for you specifically — not a general answer based on how others have responded.

What happens if vincristine leaks out of the vein during infusion?

Vincristine is classified as a vesicant — a medicine that can damage tissue if it escapes outside the vein. If you notice pain, burning, redness or swelling at the infusion site during or after your drip, tell your nurse immediately. Do not wait until the infusion is finished. This is a recognised risk that your nursing team is trained to manage, and reporting it promptly is the most important thing you can do. The earlier it is identified, the more effectively it can be treated.

I am also receiving intrathecal methotrexate. How do I know I am getting the right medicine?

This is exactly the right question to ask. Vincristine and intrathecal methotrexate are sometimes given on the same day for certain conditions, which is precisely why international patient safety guidance — including from the WHO and ISMP — specifically addresses the risk of confusion between them. Before any infusion or injection, confirm with your nurse or doctor which medicine is being given and by which route. 'Is this going into my vein, and which medicine is this?' are questions your team fully expects. Written identification on the bag or syringe is standard practice; ask to see it if you are uncertain.

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Dr. Naresh Gundu

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MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK)

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Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy

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