Etoposide Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 17, 2024.

Applies to etoposide: intravenous powder for solution, intravenous solution.

Other dosage forms:

• oral capsule liquid filled

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (solution)

Severe myelosuppression with resulting infection or bleeding may occur with etoposide.

Serious side effects of etoposide

Along with its needed effects, etoposide 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 or nurse 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
• 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 or hoarseness, accompanied by fever or chills
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• face is warm or hot to touch
• fast heartbeat
• headache
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• lower back or side pain, accompanied by fever or chills
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes
• pain or redness at the site of injection
• pale skin at the site of injection
• pounding in the ears
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• redness to face
• slow or fast heartbeat
• sweating
• tightness in the chest

Rare side effects

• back pain
• difficulty with walking
• loss of consciousness
• swelling of the face or tongue
• tightness in the throat

Incidence not known

• abdominal or stomach pain, severe
• blindness
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blue-yellow color blindness
• dark urine
• decreased vision
• eye pain
• joint or muscle pain
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• red, irritated eyes
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• seizures
• yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of etoposide

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

• bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• change in taste
• constipation
• cracked lips
• hair loss or thinning of the hair
• lack or loss of strength
• swelling or inflammation of the mouth
• weight loss

This medicine often causes a temporary loss of hair. After treatment with etoposide has ended, normal hair growth should return.

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]

Further information

Etoposide 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.

Medical Disclaimer