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What is the most important information I should know about etoposide? |
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Etoposide should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. |
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Serious side effects have been reported with the use of etoposide including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection); and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with etoposide. |
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Etoposide is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Etoposide interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body. |
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Etoposide is used in the treatment of cancers of the lung and testicles. |
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Etoposide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking etoposide? |
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Do not use etoposide without first talking to your doctor if you have |
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low albumin levels in the blood; |
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poor bone marrow function. |
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The use of etoposide may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above. |
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Etoposide is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that etoposide is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use etoposide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate use of birth control during treatment with etoposide if either you or your partner is of childbearing potential. |
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It is not known whether etoposide passes into breast milk. Do not take etoposide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby. |
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How should I use etoposide? |
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Etoposide should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. |
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Etoposide is available in oral and injectable formulations. |
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Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with etoposide depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Your doctor will determine if it is best for you to take etoposide by injection or by oral capsules. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule. |
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Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with etoposide to monitor progress and side effects. |
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Skin accidentally exposed to etoposide should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water. |
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Your healthcare provider will store etoposide as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing etoposide at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider. |
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What happens if I miss a dose? |
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Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of etoposide. |
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What happens if I overdose? |
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If for any reason an overdose of etoposide is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately. |
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Symptoms of a etoposide overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe. |
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What should I avoid while using etoposide? |
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Etoposide can lower the activity of your immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with etoposide. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you. |
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Skin accidentally exposed to etoposide should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water. |
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What are the possible side effects of etoposide? |
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects from etoposide, contact your doctor immediately: |
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an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, or signs of infection); |
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tissue or vein reactions near the site of administration; or |
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dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking etoposide and talk to your doctor if you experience: |
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rash, itching, or hives; or |
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Other side effects have also been reported. Discuss with your doctor any side effect that occurs during treatment with etoposide. |
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What other drugs will affect etoposide? |
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Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with etoposide. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with etoposide. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with etoposide. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, during treatment with etoposide. |
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Where can I get more information? |
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Your healthcare provider may have additional information about etoposide that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.04. Revision Date: 1/23/04.
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