drug-information.ru

VePesid, |etoposide Etoposide

etoposide

Generic Name: etoposide (oral) (ee TOW poh side)
Brand Names: VePesid

What is etoposide?

Etoposide is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Etoposide is used to treat cancer of the lung or testicles.

Etoposide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about etoposide?

Etoposide can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Using etoposide may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as leukemia. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking etoposide?

Before using etoposide, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease; or

• a weak immune system (from disease or from taking certain medicines).

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use etoposide, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Using etoposide may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as leukemia. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.

How should I use etoposide?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Etoposide can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store etoposide capsules in the refrigerator. Do not allow them to freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using etoposide?

Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with etoposide.

Etoposide side effects

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

• fast heart rate;

• severe nausea and vomiting;

• feeling light-headed, fainting; or

• low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;

• mild itching or skin rash; or

• temporary hair loss.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect etoposide?

Before using etoposide, tell your doctor if you are using cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf).

There may be other drugs that can affect etoposide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about etoposide written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Etoposide injection is available with a prescription under the brand name VePesid. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.