Toposar Side Effects

Generic name: etoposide

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 14, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about etoposide. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Toposar.

Applies to etoposide: oral capsule liquid filled. Other dosage forms:

intravenous powder for solution, intravenous solution

Warning

Oral route (Capsule, Liquid Filled)

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

Serious side effects of Toposar

Along with its needed effects, etoposide (the active ingredient contained in Toposar) 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

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

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

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 Toposar

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

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

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

Very common (10% or more: Neurotoxicity (e.g., somnolence, fatigue)

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]