Note: This document contains side effect information about etoposide. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Etopophos.
Applies to etoposide: oral capsule liquid filled. Other dosage forms:
- intravenous powder for solution, intravenous solution
Warning
Oral route (Capsule, Liquid Filled)
Severe myelosuppression with resulting infection or bleeding may occur with etoposide.
Serious side effects of Etopophos
Along with its needed effects, etoposide (the active ingredient contained in Etopophos) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking etoposide:
More common
- Black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blood in the urine or stools
- chest pain
- chills
- cough
- fever
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- swollen glands
- troubled breathing with exertion
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
- Blurred vision
- confusion
- cough
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fast heartbeat
- feeling of warmth
- headache
- hives
- itching
- nervousness
- numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes
- pounding in the ears
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- skin rash
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sweating
- tightness in the chest
- wheezing
Rare
- Bone pain
Incidence not known
- Abdominal or stomach pain, severe
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- cough or hoarseness
- dark urine
- diarrhea
- difficult breathing
- drowsiness
- joint or muscle pain
- loss of appetite
- lower back or side pain
- muscle tremors
- nausea or vomiting
- rapid, deep breathing
- red, irritated eyes
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- restlessness
- seizures
- stomach cramps
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects of Etopophos
Some side effects of etoposide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Hair loss or thinning of the hair
- swelling or inflammation of the mouth
- weight loss
Incidence not known
- Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- change in taste
- constipation
- cracked lips
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- heartburn
- lack or loss of strength
- pain or burning in the throat
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to etoposide: intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution, oral capsule.
Hematologic
Very common (10% or more): Myelosuppression (sometimes fatal), leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, anemia[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, mucositis (including stomatitis and esophagitis)
Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea
Rare (less than 0.1%): Dysphagia, dysgeusia[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, transient systolic hypotension (following rapid IV administration), hypertension
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cyanosis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Heart failure[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Common (1% to 10%): Anaphylaxis (sometimes fatal)[Ref]
Dermatologic
Very common (10% or more): Alopecia, pigmentation
Common (1% to 10%): Rash, urticaria, pruritus
Rare (less than 0.1%): Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, radiation recall dermatitis, maculopapular rash[Ref]
Hepatic
Common (1% to 10%): Hepatotoxicity[Ref]
Other
Very common (10% or more): Asthenia, malaise
Frequency not reported: Fever[Ref]
Respiratory
Rare (less than 0.1%): Pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonitis, bronchospasm, dyspnea[Ref]
Immunologic
Frequency not reported: Infectious complications[Ref]
Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Tumor lysis syndrome (sometimes fatal) has been reported following the use of this drug in association with other chemotherapeutic drugs[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more: Neurotoxicity (e.g., somnolence, fatigue)
Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Peripheral neuropathy
Rare (less than 0.1%): Seizure (occasionally associated with allergic reactions), optic neuritis, cortical blindness transient, neurotoxicity (e.g., somnolence, fatigue)
Frequency not reported: Aftertaste[Ref]
Ocular
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Optic neuritis, transient cortical blindness[Ref]
Local
Common (1% to 10%): Extravasation (e.g., local soft tissue toxicity, swelling, pain, cellulitis, necrosis including skin necrosis), phlebitis
Oncologic
Common (1% to 10%): Acute leukemia
Frequency not reported: Acute promyelocytic leukemia[Ref]
