Etoposide (injection)

Etoposide (injection)

What is Etoposide?

Etoposide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What side effects does etoposide have?

If necessary, get emergency medical helpSigns of an allergic reaction(fever, chills, sweating, hives, fast heartbeat, lightheadedness, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat)or a severe skin reaction(Fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple rash with blistering and peeling).

Etoposide can cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• low white blood cell count – fever, mouth sores, sore skin, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing;

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under the skin;

• severe persistent nausea or vomiting;

• sudden chest pain, wheezing, dry cough, shortness of breath;

• Pain in the upper abdomen, loss of appetite;

• visibility problems; or

• a seizure (convulsions).

Common etoposide side effects may include:

• low white blood cell count.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Etoposide may increase your risk of bleeding or infection. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or new signs of infection (fever, sore throat, trouble breathing).

Before you take this medicine

You should not be treated with etoposide if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney disease.

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

Etoposide can harm an unborn babyif the mother or father is using etoposide.

• If you are a woman,Do not use etoposide if you are pregnant. Use effective contraception to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medication and for at least 6 months after your last dose.

• If you are a man,Use effective contraception if your sexual partner may become pregnant. Continue to use contraception for at least 4 months after the last dose.

• Tell your doctor immediately if pregnancy occurs while either the mother or father is using etoposide.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use contraception to prevent pregnancy because etoposide can harm the unborn baby.

You should not breast-feed while using etoposide.

How is etoposide administered?

Etoposide is given as an infusion into a vein. A doctor will give you this injection.

Etoposide is usually given every 3 or 4 weeks as part of a 4 or 5 day treatment cycle. Follow your doctor's dosage instructions very carefully.

Etoposide can be harmful if it gets on the skin. If skin contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water.

Etoposide may increase your risk of bleeding or infection. You need frequent medical examinations. Because of the results, your cancer treatment may be delayed.

Etoposide dosage information

Usual Adult Dose for Testicular Cancer:

In combination with other approved chemotherapy drugs:
50 to 100 mg/m2 i.v. over 30 to 60 minutes once daily on days 1 to 5 every 3 to 4 weeks up to 100 mg/m2 IV. over 30 to 60 minutes once daily on days 1, 3 and 5 every 3 to 4 weeks 4 weeks

Comments:
-A longer duration of intravenous administration may be used if the volume of fluid to be infused is a concern.
-The dosage should be modified to take into account the myelosuppressive effects of other drugs in the combination or the effects of previous x-ray therapy or chemotherapy that may have impaired bone marrow reserve.

Application: In combination therapy with other approved chemotherapy drugs in patients with refractory testicular tumors who have already received appropriate surgical, chemotherapy and radiotherapy therapy

Usual Adult Dose for Small Cell Lung Cancer:

IV:
In combination with other approved chemotherapy drugs:
35 mg/m2 i.v. over 30 to 60 minutes once daily for 4 days up to 50 mg/m2 i.v. over 30 to 60 minutes once daily for 5 days every 3 to 4 weeks

Orally:
In combination with other approved chemotherapy drugs:
The recommended dose is twice the IV dose rounded to the nearest 50 mg (i.e. 2 times 35 mg/m2 IV once daily for 4 days to 50 mg/m2 IV once daily for 5 days, which is equivalent to 70 mg/m2 orally once daily). per day for 4 days to 100 mg/m2 orally once daily for 5 days)

Comments:
-A longer duration of intravenous administration may be used if the volume of fluid to be infused is a concern.
-The dosage should be modified to take into account the myelosuppressive effects of other drugs in the combination or the effects of previous x-ray therapy or chemotherapy that may have impaired bone marrow reserve.

Application: In combination with other approved chemotherapy drugs as initial treatment in patients with small cell lung cancer

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your etoposide injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking etoposide?

Do not receive a live vaccine while using etoposide. During this time, the vaccine may not work as well and may not completely protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza).

Avoid being near sick or infected people. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection.

Avoid activities that could increase the risk of bleeding or injury. Be especially careful to avoid bleeding when shaving or brushing your teeth.

What other drugs affect etoposide?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking, especially:

• Aspirin;

• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or

• Seizure mediation.

This list is not complete. Other medications can affect etoposide, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

More information

Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the prescribed indication.