Toposar Side Effects

Generic name: etoposide

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 14, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Toposar Side Effects associated with etoposide. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Toposar.

Applies to etoposide: oral capsule liquid filled.

Other dosage forms:

• intravenous powder for solution, intravenous solution

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 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:

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:

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]

See also:

Further information

Toposar 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