What is Etoposide: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Etoposide

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

• Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

• Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

• Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

• Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

What to do if you miss a dose of Etoposide

Etoposide contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to etoposide or etoposide phosphate, or you are pregnant.

Etoposide warnings

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Injection routeIt is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Women should use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose. Men should use condoms during sex while they are receiving this medicine and for at least 4 months after the last dose.

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or a history of low albumin (plasma protein).

• Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

• Rarely, this medicine may cause leukemia (cancer of the blood or bone marrow). Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

• This medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

Etoposide interactions

• Some medicines can affect how etoposide works. Tell your doctor if you are also using any of the following:CyclosporineLevamisoleBlood thinner (including warfarin)Medicine to treat seizures (including carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, valproic acid)

• This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or a history of low albumin (plasma protein).

• Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

• Rarely, this medicine may cause leukemia (cancer of the blood or bone marrow). Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.