Etoposide



Toposar®; VePesid®







Etoposide

(e toe POE side)

U.S. Brand Names
Toposar®; VePesid®
Canadian Brand Names
VePesid®
Mexican Brand Names
Etopos®; Lastet®; VePesid®; Vp-Tec®
Pharmacologic Category
Antineoplastic Agent, Podophyllotoxin Derivative
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • This medicine is very strong. Allergic reactions can occur. It can prevent your bone marrow from making some of the cells that your body needs. You will need weekly blood work to watch for side effects. Tell healthcare provider right away about any fever, sore throat, signs of infection, bleeding, shortness of breath, or feeling tired.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to etoposide or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat a variety of cancers.
How does it work?
  • Etoposide injures cancer cells causing their death.
How is it best taken?
  • This medicine is given by mouth.
  • Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • This medicine is given as a shot into a vein.
  • Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Injection:
  • Call healthcare provider for appointment.
  • Oral:
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
  • Be careful about taking vaccinations while you are receiving this medicine.
  • Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.
  • You may bleed more easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
  • Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
  • If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy. Use birth control that you can trust.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • Feeling tired or weak.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Skin irritation.
  • Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.
  • Infertility.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • Severe belly pain.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Persistent cough.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Severe diarrhea.
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
  • Not hungry.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • This injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
  • Store capsules in a refrigerator.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: