Etoposide: function, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Functions & Usage

What is Etoposide for?

Etoposide is a drug used for several types of cancer, such as small cell lung cancer. This drug is usually used alone or in combination with other chemotherapy treatments. Etoposide works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells. This drug is also known as VP-16.

Etoposide can also be used to treat certain types of leukemia, lymphoma, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer, and certain types of prostate cancer.

How do you use the drug Etoposide?

Use this drug as prescribed. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Do not increase your dose or use this medication more frequently without your doctor's approval. Your condition will not recover any sooner and the risk of serious side effects can be increased.

Avoid eating grapefruit while using this medicine unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can change the amount of certain drugs in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Do not stop taking this medication, even if you feel nauseous or have vomiting. If you vomit shortly after using a dose or if you miss a dose, contact your doctor.

Because dust containing this medicine can be inhaled, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle or break capsules of this medicine.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Etoposide?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using the drug Etoposide?

Before using etoposide,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to etoposide, any other medication, or any of the ingredients in etoposide capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the constituent ingredients.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are using or will be using. Be sure to mention the following: cisplatin (Platinol), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune). Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medicines can also interact with etoposide, so be sure to tell your doctor about all drugs you use, even those that don't appear on this list.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You should not become pregnant or breastfeeding while you are taking etoposide. If you become pregnant while using etoposide, contact your doctor. Etoposide can harm the fetus

Is Etoposide safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Studies show that etoposide may be harmful to the fetus and so it is not recommended for use in pregnancy. However, if the potential benefits to save the mother's life outweigh the dangers, doctors may prescribe etoposide.

Always consult a doctor before using any medication while you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of Etoposide?

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, diarrhea, fatigue, or temporary hair loss.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as: fever, chills, sweating, fast heartbeat, fainting; itchy rash; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as:

• Fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in mouth and throat
• Easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red spots under your skin
• Pale skin, feeling dizzy or short of breath, fast heart rate, difficulty concentrating
• Upper abdominal pain, hives, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-like stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Vision problems
• Seizures
• Sudden pain or discomfort in the chest, wheezing, dry cough or short cough; or
• Severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling of the face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially on the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
• Diarrhea, constipation
• Difficulty swallowing
• Unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Numbness or tingling feeling
• Mild itching or skin rash
• Temporary hair loss

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the drug Etoposide?

Although certain drugs should not be used at the same time, in other cases two different drugs can be used together even if interactions are possible. In this case, your doctor may be able to change the dose, or take other precautions that may be needed. When you are receiving this medicine it is very important that your healthcare provider knows if you are currently taking any of the medicines that are listed below. The following interactions are selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all inclusive.

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this drug or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Rotavirus Vaccine, Live

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or adjust how often you use one or both drugs.

• Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live
• Adenovirus Vaccine Type 7, Live
• Aprepitant
• Bacillus Calmette and Guerin Vaccines, Live
• Cobicistat
• Cyclosporine
• Echinacea
• Fosaprepitant
• Glucosamine
• Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
• Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
• Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
• Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
• Smallpox vaccine
• St. John's Wort
• Typhoid Vaccine
• Valspodar
• Varicella Virus Vaccine
• Warfarin
• Yellow fever vaccine

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the work of the Etoposide drug?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

Using this medication with any of the following foods may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but may not be avoided in some cases. When used together, your doctor may change your dose or adjust how often you use this medication, or give specific instructions about use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Grapefruit juice

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Etoposide?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

• Low serum albumin (protein in the blood) - may experience increased side effects
• Infection - Etoposide can decrease your body's ability to fight infection
• Kidney disease - Use with caution. The effects of etoposide can be increased because the drug clears more slowly from the body

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the etoposide dosage for adults?

Etoposide dosage for testicular cancer

Initial dose: 50-100 mg / m² IV once daily on days 1-5 or 100 mg / m2 IV once daily on days 1.3 and 5.

Etoposide dosage for lung cancer

Initial dose: 35-50 mg / m2 IV once daily for 4-5 days or 70-100 mg / m2 orally once a day for 4-5 days.

Etoposide dosage for Hodgkin's disease

• In combination with other chemotherapy agents as part of the use of BEACOPP and EVA: 100 mg / m2 / day on days 1, 2, and 3. Total Dose / Cycle = 300 mg / m2.
• In combination with other chemotherapy agents as part of mini-BEAM treatment: 75 mg / m2 / day on days 2-5. Number of Doses / Cycles = 300 mg / m2.
• In combination with other chemotherapy agents as part of Stanford V treatment: 60 mg / m2 / day on days 15 and 16. Number of Doses / Cycles = 120 mg / m2.

Etoposide dosage for ovarian cancer

• For use in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer: 50 mg / m2 daily on 1-21 days for use in the treatment of germ cell ovarian cancer.
• In combination with other chemotherapy drugs approved as part of BEP treatment: 100 mg / m2 IV on days 1-5.

What is the etoposide dosage for children?

The oral dose should be given once a day if it is less than 400mg. Split doses are recommended if the dose exceeds 400 mg / day.

• Induction remission for AML: 150 mg / m2 / day IV for 2-3 days for 2-3 cycles.
• Intensification / Consolidation for AML: 250 mg / m2 / day IV for 3 days, 2-5 uses.
• Brain Tumor: 150 mg / m2 / day IV on days 2 and 3.
• Neuroblastoma: 100 mg / m2 / day IV for 1 hour on days 1-5 of cycle, repeated every 4 weeks.
• High dose conditioning treatment for allogeneic BMT: 60 mg / kg / IV dose as a single dose.
• BMT conditioning treatment regimen used in patients with rhabdomyosarcoma or neuroblastoma: continuous IV infusion: 160 mg / m2 / day for 4 days
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What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.