Etopofos

Etoposide is a prescription medication used to treat small cell lung cancer and testicular cancer. Etoposide belongs to a group of drugs called podophyllotoxin derivatives, which slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.

This medication comes as a capsule and is taken by mouth. It is usually taken once a day for 4 or 5 days in a row. This cycle may be repeated once every 3 to 4 weeks, depending on your response to the medication.

This medication comes in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare provider. It is usually given in cycles, once a day or every other day, for up to 5 days.

Some of the common side effects of etoposide include nausea, vomiting, hairloss, and low counts of certain blood cells.

Etopofos is part of the drug class:

• Podophyllotoxin derivatives

Oral/Injectable:

Etoposide may cause serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. See "Etoposide Precautions."

The following side effects were reported during clinical trials:

• lower than normal levels of red blood cells, white blood cells and blood platelets
• nausea
• vomiting
• low blood pressure
• severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic-like reactions)
• reversible hair loss
• stomach pain
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• diarrhea
• constipation
• sores in mouth and throat
• liver toxicity
• unusual tiredness
• eye pain

This is not a complete list of etoposide side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• cisplatin (Platinol)
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)

This is not a complete list of etoposide drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before receiving etoposide, tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to any ingredient in etoposide
• have kidney or liver disease
• have anemia
• have an infection
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Oral:

• In small cell lung cancer, the recommended dose of etoposide capsules is 2 times the IV dose rounded to the nearest 50 mg
  • For example: two times 35 mg/m2/day for 4 days to 50 mg/m2/day for 5 days.
  • The dosage should be modified to take into account
    • the effects of other drugs in combination, or
    • the effects of prior x-ray therapy

Injectable:

• The etoposide dosage is highly individualized and is based on the cancer being treated, your height and weight, how well your body responds to the medication, and other medications and other medical conditions you have.
• Cancer of the Testicles
  • The etoposide dose ranges from 50 to 100 mg per m²  a day for 5 days to 100 mg per m²  a day every other day for 3 doses (days 1, 3, and 5 of a treatment cycle).
• Small Cell Lung Cancer
  • The etoposide dose ranges from 35 mg per m²  a day for 4 days to 50 mg per m²  a day for 5 days.
  • Doses are reduced in patients with kidney disease.