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Introduction of
Etoposide
Etoposide belongs to the general class of chemotherapy drugs
known as plant alkaloids. It is used to treat small cell lung
and testicular cancers.
Before using Etoposide
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If you are trying to become pregnant, are
pregnant, or breastfeeding. This drug may cause birth
defects if either the male or female is taking it at the
time of conception or during pregnancy. Men and women who
are taking this drug need to use some kind of birth control.
However, do not use oral contraceptives (“the pill”) without
checking with your doctor.
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If you think you may want to have children in
the future. Many chemotherapy drugs can cause sterility.
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If you have any of the following medical
problems: chickenpox or exposure to chickenpox, gout, heart
disease, congestive heart failure, shingles, kidney stones,
liver disease, or other forms of cancer.
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If you are taking any other prescription or
over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.
Precautions of using Etoposide
While you are being treated with etoposide, and after you stop
treatment, do not have any immunizations
without your doctor’s okay. Try to avoid contact with people
who have recently taken the oral polio vaccine. Check with
your doctor about this.
Etoposide can lower your blood counts. Your doctor will check your blood
counts before and after each treatment to see how it affects
your blood counts. Your doctor or nurse will give you specific
instructions if your blood counts are low.
Etoposide can lower your white blood cell count, especially 10
to 14 days after the drug is given. This can increase your
risk of getting an infection. Report fever of 100.5°F or
higher, or signs of infection such as pain in passing your
urine, coughing, and bringing up sputum.
Etoposide can cause a decrease in the platelet count. This can
increase your risk of bleeding. DO NOT take any aspirin or
aspirin–containing medicines. Report unusual bruising, or
bleeding such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums when you brush your
teeth, or black, tarry stools.
Etoposide capsules can cause nausea and vomiting. Ask your
doctor or nurse to give you medicines to prevent or lessen
this.
Getting a wig before starting treatment may make it easier to
deal with hair loss. Talk to your nurse or doctor about this.
If your insurance does not cover it, there may be other
resources to help you. Hair loss is temporary, and your hair
will grow back after treatment.
Side Effects
of Etoposide
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Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of
infection
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Decreased platelet count with increased risk of bleeding
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Mild
nausea
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Mild
vomiting
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Loss of
appetite
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Changes
in taste including metallic taste of foods
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Hair
loss
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Fetal damage if pregnancy occurs while taking
this drug
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Constipation
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Diarrhea
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Pain in
stomach
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Radiation recall skin changes
Disclaimer:
Information on this page is provided for general
information purposes. You should not make a clinical treatment
decision based on information contained in this page without
consulting other references including the package insert of
the drug, textbooks and where relevant, expert opinion. We
cannot be held responsible for any errors you make in
administering drugs mentioned on this page, nor for use of any
erroneous information contained on this page.
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