VePesid Side Effects

Generic name: etoposide

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 23, 2024.

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

Applies to etoposide: intravenous powder for solution, intravenous solution. Other dosage forms:

• oral capsule liquid filled

Serious side effects of VePesid

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

• 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

• 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

• 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 VePesid

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

• 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

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]

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

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer