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What Is Vincristine Used For?
Older adults can be treated with vincristine. In general, because older adults are more likely to have other medical problems, they may need to be closely monitored during treatment.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend this medicine for treating something other than the conditions discussed in this article. This is called an "off-label" use. Possible off-label uses for vincristine include treatment of the following conditions:
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a condition associated with low levels of platelets
- Postherpetic neuralgia (pain that continues after having shingles)
- Kaposi's sarcoma, a cancer that typically affects the skin
- Chronic leukemia
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, a condition associated with low levels of red blood cells.
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH, BCPP
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD