Etoposide phosphate is used to treat cancer of the lung or testicles.

Etoposide phosphate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to etoposide.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease; or
• if you use a blood thinner (such as warfarin) and you have routine "INR" or prothrombin time tests.

Using etoposide phosphate may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as leukemia. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.

Etoposide can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using this medicine.

• If you are a woman, do not use etoposide if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.
• If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 4 months after your last dose.
• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using etoposide.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because etoposide can harm an unborn baby.

You should not breastfeed while using etoposide.

Use Etoposide Phosphate (Intravenous) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• pain, burning, irritation, or skin changes where the injection was given;
• severe nausea and vomiting;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under your skin; or
• low white blood cell counts--fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting;
• constipation;
• fever;
• trouble swallowing; or
• unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using etoposide phosphate, or you could develop a serious infection. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.