Etopophos Side Effects
Generic name: etoposide
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 14, 2024.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Etopophos Side Effects associated with etoposide. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Etopophos.
Applies to etoposide: oral capsule liquid filled.
Other dosage forms:
Important warnings
This medicine can cause some serious health issues
Oral route (capsule, liquid filled)
Severe myelosuppression with resulting infection or bleeding may occur with etoposide.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have chills; fever; lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting; fast, pounding heartbeat; swelling of the face, tongue, and throat; or trouble with breathing while you are using this medicine.
Etoposide can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of your getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:
- If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or have painful or difficult urination.
- Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising; black, tarry stools; blood in the urine or stools; or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
- Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
- Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
- Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
- Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.
This medicine may cause leukemia (cancer of the blood or bone marrow) in rare cases. Talk with your doctor about any concerns you have about this.
Talk with your doctor before getting flu shots or other vaccines while you are receiving this medicine because there are certain vaccines that you should not receive.
Serious side effects of Etopophos
Along with its needed effects, etoposide (the active ingredient contained in Etopophos) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking etoposide:
More common side effects
- black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blood in the urine or stools
- chest pain
- chills
- cough
- fever
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- swollen glands
- troubled breathing with exertion
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common side effects
- blurred vision
- confusion
- cough
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fast heartbeat
- feeling of warmth
- headache
- hives
- itching
- nervousness
- numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes
- pounding in the ears
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- skin rash
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sweating
- tightness in the chest
- wheezing
Rare side effects
- bone pain
Incidence not known
- abdominal or stomach pain, severe
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- cough or hoarseness
- dark urine
- diarrhea
- difficult breathing
- drowsiness
- joint or muscle pain
- loss of appetite
- lower back or side pain
- muscle tremors
- nausea or vomiting
- rapid, deep breathing
- red, irritated eyes
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- restlessness
- seizures
- stomach cramps
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects of Etopophos
Some side effects of etoposide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common side effects
- hair loss or thinning of the hair
- swelling or inflammation of the mouth
- weight loss
Incidence not known
- bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- change in taste
- constipation
- cracked lips
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- heartburn
- lack or loss of strength
- pain or burning in the throat
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
For healthcare professionals
Applies to etoposide: intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution, oral capsule.
Hematologic adverse events
- Very common (10% or more): Myelosuppression (sometimes fatal), leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, anemia[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Very common (10% or more): Abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, mucositis (including stomatitis and esophagitis)
- Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Dysphagia, dysgeusia[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Common (1% to 10%): Myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, transient systolic hypotension (following rapid IV administration), hypertension
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cyanosis
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Heart failure[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Common (1% to 10%): Anaphylaxis (sometimes fatal)[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Very common (10% or more): Alopecia, pigmentation
- Common (1% to 10%): Rash, urticaria, pruritus
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, radiation recall dermatitis, maculopapular rash[Ref]
Hepatic
- Common (1% to 10%): Hepatotoxicity[Ref]
Other
- Very common (10% or more): Asthenia, malaise
- Frequency not reported: Fever[Ref]
Respiratory
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonitis, bronchospasm, dyspnea[Ref]
Immunologic
- Frequency not reported: Infectious complications[Ref]
Metabolic
- Frequency not reported: Tumor lysis syndrome (sometimes fatal) has been reported following the use of this drug in association with other chemotherapeutic drugs[Ref]
Nervous system
- Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Peripheral neuropathy
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Seizure (occasionally associated with allergic reactions), optic neuritis, cortical blindness transient, neurotoxicity (e.g., somnolence, fatigue)
- Frequency not reported: Aftertaste[Ref]
Very common (10% or more: Neurotoxicity (e.g., somnolence, fatigue)
Ocular
- Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Optic neuritis, transient cortical blindness[Ref]
Local
- Common (1% to 10%): Extravasation (e.g., local soft tissue toxicity, swelling, pain, cellulitis, necrosis including skin necrosis), phlebitis
Oncologic
- Common (1% to 10%): Acute leukemia
- Frequency not reported: Acute promyelocytic leukemia[Ref]
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References
1. (2001) "Product Information. Vepesid (etoposide)." Bristol-Myers Squibb
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
More about Etopophos (etoposide)
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Further information
Etopophos side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.