#vinblastine

[wtf-fun-factss]

The chemical vinblastine which helps fight a number of different cancers is made from the dried leaves of the Madagascar periwinkle. - WTF Fun Facts

Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321726.php

[ppcseo]

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CARBOPLATIN VINBLASTINE AND DOXORUBICIN?

Carboplatin, vinblastine, and doxorubicin are all chemotherapy drugs used to treat various types of cancer. While these drugs can be effective in killing cancer cells, they can also cause a range of side effects. The type and severity of side effects can vary depending on the dose and duration of treatment, as well as the

[gothodgkin]

Tuesday, July 12th, 2016

Yesterday, I wanted to talk more about the Vinblastine and the Vincristine. I will do this now in this post as a personal resarch based on interesting information I found in the net.

The gold standard chemotherapy regimen for treating Hodgkin Lymphoma is, at the time of writing this, the ABVD (V for Vinblastine). It has been in use since a a couple of decades. The predecessor of ABVD in the '60s was the MOPP (O for Oconvin, AKA Vincristine). Basically, Vincristine do the same on treating cancer cells as Vinblastine. One of the main differences of the Vincristine or the reason it was replaced is, quoting Wikipedia:

The main side effects of vincristine are chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, hyponatremia, constipation, and hair loss.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy can be severe, and may be a reason to reduce or avoid using vincristine. The symptoms of this are progressive and enduring tingling numbness, pain and hypersensitivity to cold, beginning in the hands and feet and sometimes affecting the arms and legs. One of the first symptoms of peripheral neuropathy is foot drop: A person with a family history of foot drop and/or Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) should avoid the taking of vincristine.

Basically, both Vinblastine and Vincristine cause chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, but looks like the one due to Vincristine tend to be more severe.

Finally, an interesting fact: the flower in the picture attached to this post is where the Vinblastine and Vincristine are obtained along with a bunch of other components. The name is of that flower: Madagascar periwinkle. Here in DR we can found this flower everywhere. We are so close of certain sources.

[onhealth-blog]

Drug Shortages Update

FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) [ http://www.fda.gov/?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] You are subscribed to Drug Shortages for U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). This information has recently been updated. *November 14, 2013* * Current Drug Shortages Index [ http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages/ucm050792.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] (updated) * Drugs to be Discontinued: Bupivacaine Hydrochloride Injection [ http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages/ucm050794.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] *  Resolved Drug Shortages: Vinblastine Sulfate Injection [ http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages/ucm050793.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

[gewoonspeenkruid]

Gebruik - Vinca Minor - Maagdenpalm

De grote maagdenpalm bevat een aantal verwante alkaloïden, vinchristine en vinblastine, die zo giftig zijn dat ze tegenwoordig worden ingezet als onderdeel van chemotherapie bij kanker. Dat betekent dat er ook bijwerkingen van het middel moeten zijn en dat klopt. Die bijwerkingen zijn onder andere perifere neuropathie (een pijnlijke aandoening van de zenuwuiteinden), hyponatriëmie (abnormaal lage niveaus van natrium in bloed), constipatie en verlies van haar. Maar, ondanks deze nadelen, wordt vinchristine ook nog ingezet om hoge bloeddruk te behandelen en om grote bloedingen onder controle te krijgen. Een teveel resulteert al snel in een te lage bloeddruk, die tot een complete ineenstorting van alle lichaamssystemen kan leiden.

In het nog steeds bij moderne heksen populaire zestiende-eeuwse boek van Albertus Magnus (Bert de Grote) met de titel The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus: Of the Virtues of Herbs, Stones, and Certain Beasts, Also a Book of the Marvels of the World wordt gemeld dat de maagdenpalm grote krachten bezit om liefde op te wekken tussen man en vrouw. De plant moet gedroogd en verpoederd worden. Daarna dient het vermengd te worden met prei en aardwormen. Vervolgens moet het aan het eten van de man of vrouw worden toegevoegd. Succes verzekerd, volgen Albertus Magnus.

En hoe verschillend sommige volken tegen dezelfde plant aan kunnen kijken bewijzen Duitsland en Frankrijk. In Duitsland staat de maagdenpalm bekend als de bloem van de onsterfelijkheid, terwijl dezelfde bloem in Frankrijk bekend staat als bloem van de dood. Want zoals altijd het geval is bij geneeskrachtige planten: precies genoeg geneest en net even teveel doodt.

[stilbreathing-blog]

My First Treatment.

I woke up early this morning, about 7.30am. I woke up feeling nervous and a bit afraid of the unknown. I had no idea what to expect for my first chemotherapy treatment. My Dad picked up my girlfriend and I at 8am and we arrived early at the hospital. I was even more nervous having to wait in the waiting room of the haematology centre. Finally, Louise called my name and we made our way to the chemotherapy lounge. There were about 10 chairs in the room and a couple of beds. I was in here for my BMA too except I had the comfort of a bed that time. There were only a few other chemo patients in the room, all of them were seniors. It felt strange to be the only young person. I selected a chair and Louise met me with a trolley full of various medical paraphernalia. I could see the needle she would use.. I was dreading having it put in my arm; I figured my veins would collapse like the last few times. Several attempts later, and I was right. My left arm failed and Louise attempted my right arm a few times before it went in. They are trialling some new type of catheter that just wouldn't work so Louise ended up just using the old type but unfortunately, the gauge was bigger :( Louise talked me through each drug as she slowly administered them through the drip in my arm. First saline, then an anti-nausea drug, and then my first chemotherapy drug; Doxorubicin. Louise used a big syringe to push it slowly through my drip. It was a deep red colour. I watched it flow down the clear tube into my arm. I was finally on the road to getting better.

, The next drug (Bleomycin) was clear, it was also put into my body through a syringe into my drip. Louise explained that this was the drug that could affect my lungs. Again, she mentions I need to quit smoking. It's gonna be tough but I think having a good reason to quit will give me an extra push to actually do it.

No more syringes. The last two are given to me through drip bags. Both are clear liquids. The Vinblastine went in fairly quickly but I had to sit for an hour while the Dacarbazine went into my body. Both of these gave me an odd feeling. I can't explain it but it made my vein feel really funny every few minutes.

I had to have a little more fluid and then I was ready to go home. Whilst I was waiting for the last bag of saline to go through, I was staring down the corridor and noticed my mum walking down towards me:) It was a really big pleasant shock and surprise. A woman called Orietta came and spoke to me about Centrelink and various organisations like the Starlight Foundation. Turns out I actually get to make a wish which is awesome. I'll have to work out what I'm gonna wish for before they call me. My bladder was gonna explode after all those fluids so I took her card and ran for a wee. Just like Louise said; my urine was a dark orange colour from the Doxorubicin.

Louise organised my medication and my girlfriend and I went to pick them up. I had 4 different tablets to take home. I hoped my girlfriend was listening when the lady explained each medication. Thankfully, Louise left an information sheet. I was exhausted when we got home. I went to sleep for a few hours with my girlfriend. When I woke up my Mum had cooked us pasta, chicken and salad for the next 2 days' dinner. Surprisingly, I had quite an appetite. I hope that nausea, I've heard so much about, doesn't kick in any time soon. My next treatment is is on the 7th of November. I'll try to update my blog with how I'm feeling in the mean time