Etoposide - Drug Information - Chemocare (2023)

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swap names:Mol^®, VePes^®, Etopophos^®
Alternate name:VP-16, Etoposidphosphat

Chemocare.com uses generic names in all drug descriptions. VP-16 is the trade name for etoposide. VePesid and Etopophos and Toposar or etoposide phosphate are other names for etoposide. In some cases, healthcare professionals may use the trade name VP-16 or other names VePesid or Etopophos or Toposar or Etoposide phosphate when referring to the generic drug name Etoposide.

Art des Medicaments:Etoposide is an anticancer chemotherapy ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") drug. This drug is classified as a 'plant alkaloid' and 'topoisomerase II inhibitor'. (See the “How does this medicine work” section below for more details).

What is etoposide used for:

• Testicular, bladder, prostate, lung, stomach and uterine cancer. Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, Kaposi's sarcoma, Wilm's tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, neuroblastoma, brain tumors.
• It can also be given as a high-dose therapy in bone marrow transplantation.

Note:Once a drug has been approved for one use, doctors can use the same drug for other problems if they think it might help.

How etoposide is given:

• In tablet form for oral use.
• As an infusion into a vein (intravenous, IV), as a short infusion or as a continuous infusion over 24 hours.
• Etoposide is considered an irritant. An irritant is a chemical that can cause inflammation of the vein through which it is administered. If the drug leaks out of the vein, tissue damage can occur. The nurse or doctor administering this medication needs careful training. If you experience pain, redness or swelling at the infusion site while being treated with etoposide, tell your doctor straight away.
• The amount of etoposide you receive and how it is given depends on many factors, including your height and weight, your general health or other health conditions, and the type of cancer or condition being treated. Your doctor will determine your dose, schedule, and route of administration.

Side effects:

Important notes on the side effects of etoposide:

• Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed.
• Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
• Side effects are almost always reversible and disappear after treatment is completed.
• There are many ways to minimize or prevent side effects.
• There is no relationship between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of the drug.
• The side effects of etoposide and their severity depend on how much of the drug is given. In other words, high doses can produce more serious side effects.

The following side effects are common (more than 30%) in patients taking etoposide:

• Low white blood cell count. (This may increase your risk of infection).
• Low platelet count (This may increase your risk of bleeding).

Nadir:This means nadir is the time between chemotherapy cycles when you have low blood counts.

Beginning:5-7 Take
Nadir:7-14 Take
Recreation:21-28 Take

• hair loss

• Menopause (induced by chemotherapy)
• loss of fertility. That means your ability to father a child may be affected by etoposide. Discuss this issue with your doctor.
• Nausea and vomiting (especially at high doses)
• Low blood pressure (if the drug is infused too quickly)

These side effects are less common, i. H. they occur in 10-29 percent of patients receiving etoposide:

• Mouth sores (especially at high doses)
• diarrhea (especially at high doses)
• loss of appetite
• Radiation recall (see skin reactions)

Other side effects:

• Metallic taste during the infusion of the drug
• Inflammation at the injection site
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness in fingers and toes) may occur with repeated dosing. This is a rare side effect, but it can be irreversible. Report numbness or tingling in your feet or hands to your doctor.

Delayed Effect:

• Years after taking etoposide, there is a small risk of developing blood cancers, such as leukemia. Talk to your doctor about this risk.

Not all side effects are listed above, some rare side effects (occurring in less than 10% of patients) are not listed here. However, you should always let your doctor know if you notice any unusual symptoms.

When to contact your doctor or healthcare provider:

Contact your healthcare providerimmediately,Day or night if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, chills (possible signs of infection).

The following symptoms require medical attention but are not emergencies. Contact your healthcare providerWithin 24 hoursNotice the following:

• Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and is not relieved by prescribed medication)
• Vomiting (vomit more than 4-5 times in 24 hours)
• Diarrhea (4-6 episodes within 24 hours)
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Black or tarry stools or blood in stool or urine
• Extreme fatigue (unable to care for yourself)
• Mouth sores (painful redness, swelling or ulcers)
• Swelling, redness and/or pain in one leg or arm and not the other
• Numbness or tingling in your fingers or toes
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Pain, redness, or swelling at the infusion site

Always tell your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms.

Precautions:

• Before beginning treatment with etoposide, be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbal remedies, etc.). Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin unless specifically authorized by your doctor.
• Do not get immunized or vaccinated while taking etoposide without your doctor's approval.
• Tell your doctor if you are or might be pregnant before starting this treatment.
• For both men and women: Do not conceive (do not become pregnant) while taking etoposide. Barrier birth control methods, such as condoms, are recommended. Discuss with your doctor when it is safe for you to become pregnant or conceive a child after therapy.
• Do not breast-feed while taking this medication.

Self Care Tips:

• Apply warm compresses if you experience pain, redness, or swelling at the infusion site and notify your doctor.
• Drink at least two to three liters of fluids every 24 hours unless instructed otherwise.
• You could be at risk of infection, so avoid crowds or people with colds and report any fever or other signs of infection to your doctor right away.
• Wash your hands often.
• To treat/prevent mouth sores, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinse with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking soda and/or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt mixed with 8 ounces of water three times a day.
• Use an electric razor and a soft toothbrush to minimize bleeding.
• Avoid contact sports or activities that could cause injury.
• To reduce nausea, take anti-nausea medications prescribed by your doctor and eat small meals frequently.
• Avoid sun exposure. Wear sunscreen with SPF 15 (or higher) and protective clothing.
• In general, the consumption of alcoholic beverages should be kept to a minimum or avoided altogether. You should discuss this with your doctor.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Eat a good diet.
• If you notice any symptoms or side effects, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare team. They can prescribe medication and/or make other suggestions that are effective in managing such issues.

Monitoring and testing:

You will be checked regularly by your doctor while you are taking etoposide to monitor side effects and to check your response to therapy. Regular blood tests to monitor your complete blood count (CBC) and the function of other organs (e.g. your kidneys and liver) will also be ordered by your doctor.

How etoposide works:

Cancerous tumors are characterized by cell division that is no longer controlled as in normal tissue. "Normal" cells stop dividing when they come into contact with similar cells, a mechanism known as contact inhibition. Cancer cells lose this ability. Cancer cells no longer have the normal control mechanisms that control and limit cell division. The process of cell division, whether normal or cancerous, occurs through the cell cycle. The cell cycle goes from the resting phase through active growth phases to mitosis (division).

Chemotherapy's ability to kill cancer cells depends on its ability to stop cells from dividing. Usually, the drugs work by damaging the RNA or DNA that tells the cell how to copy itself when it divides. If the cells cannot divide, they die. The faster the cells divide, the more likely it is that the chemotherapy will kill the cells and the tumor will shrink. They also induce cell suicide (suicidal or apoptosis).

Chemotherapy drugs that affect cells only when they are dividing are called cell cycle specific. Chemotherapy drugs that affect cells at rest are called cell cycle nonspecific. Chemotherapy planning is based on the type of cells, the rate at which they are dividing, and when a particular drug is likely to be effective. For this reason, chemotherapy is typically given in cycles.

Chemotherapy is most effective at killing cells that divide rapidly. Unfortunately, chemotherapy does not know the difference between cancer cells and normal cells. The "normal" cells will grow back and be healthy, but in the meantime side effects will occur. The "normal" cells most commonly affected by chemotherapy are the blood cells, the cells in the mouth, stomach and intestines, and the hair follicles; resulting in low blood counts, mouth sores, nausea, diarrhea and/or hair loss. Different drugs can affect different parts of the body.

Etoposide belongs to a class of chemotherapy drugs called plant alkaloids. Plant alkaloids are made from plants. The vinca alkaloids are obtained from the evergreen plant (Catharanthus rosea). The taxanes are made from the bark of the Pacific yew tree (Taxus). The vinca alkaloids and taxanes are also known as antimicrotubule agents. The podophyllotoxins are obtained from the May apple plant. Camptothecan analogues come from the Asian "Happy Tree" (Camptotheca acuminata). Podophyllotoxins and camptothecan analogs are also known as topoisomerase inhibitors. The plant alkaloids are cell cycle specific. That is, they attack cells at different stages of division.

• Vinca-Alkaloid:vincristine, vinblastine and vinorelbine
• Taxane:paclitaxel and docetaxel
• Podophyllotoxine:Etopos and Tenisops
• Camptothecan-Analoga:Irinotecan und Topotecan

Topoisomerase inhibitors (such as etoposide) are drugs that interfere with the action of topoisomerase enzymes (topoisomerase I and II). Topoisomerase enzymes control the manipulation of DNA structure necessary for replication.

• Topoisomerase-I-Hemmer:Ironotecan, Topotecan
• Topoisomerase-II-Inhibitoren:Amsacrin, Etoposid, Etoposidphosphat, Teniposid

Note:We strongly encourage you to speak to your doctor about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained on this website is intended to be helpful and educational, but does not replace medical advice.

Chemocare.com is designed to provide patients and their families, carers and friends with the latest information about chemotherapy. Information on the 4th Engel Mentoring Program can be found atwww.4thangel.org