What is Etoposide?

Etoposide

Cancer is a disease that may severely deplete the quality of life of a person. While cancer may not always be fatal, addressing its side effects adequately is essential to prevent the disease from taking over a person’s life. A patient may be prescribed some medicine to manage, treat, and sometimes even cure cancer. Etoposide is a medication that is used for managing and treating some cancers. These cancers are testicular, prostate, bladder, stomach, and lung cancer. Etoposide belongs to the topoisomerase II inhibitor category of medications.

Etoposide side effects 

It may help a patient know about Etoposide side effects. While the main purpose of giving any medication to a patient is to have a positive effect on them, to treat the health condition they are facing, and sometimes even cure them, patients may sometimes experience some side effects that may have adverse effects on them, just like Etoposide side effects. There are some notable Etoposide side effects that patients must be aware of. They should be aware of these Etoposide side effects as they will be able to recognize them early, suffer less, and get the necessary medical assistance for the Etoposide side effects that are experienced, if necessary. 

Some Etoposide side effects are:

  • Reactions such as rashes on the skin, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue
  • Reduced blood counts as a result of a depletion of white, red blood cells as well as platelets which may put you at an increased risk of suffering from infections and bleeding
  • Feeling nauseous  
  • Vomiting
  • Experiencing some redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including area inside one’s mouth
  • Being prone to infections which may result in fever, chills, cough, sore throat, pain, difficulty urinating
  • Signs of fall red blood cell count or anemia, which may lead to feeling unusually weak, faint, dizzy, falling easily, experiencing difficulty breathing
  • Bruising or bleeding without any injury 

Etoposide side effects that will usually not require medical attention but must be reported to a doctor or a suitable medical authority if they persist or become increasingly severe with time:

  • Change in food preferences
  • Upset stomach
  • Loss of hair 
  • Appetite loss
  • Sores in mouth 

One must note that while patients generally experience the above Etoposide side effects, the side effects could differ for different patients, sometimes more severe or less severe. Patients could also experience Etoposide side effects that are entirely different than the ones that have been listed above. You may also be given medication that may help you with the Etoposide side effects that you are experiencing. You must take the medications given to manage Etoposide side effects appropriately and as your doctor advises. 

Long-term side effects of Etoposide  

A person may experience some long-term side effects of Etoposide consumption. These may affect them over a more extended period than typical symptoms. If these long-term side effects of Etoposide continue to become more severe with time, you must inform your doctor or a suitable medical professional. 

Some notable long-term side effects of Etoposide consumption are that patients may generally experience the above long-term side effects. The above list of long-term side effects of Etoposide consumption does not cover all possible long-term side effects. Patients could experience long-term side effects of Etoposide consumption more severely or mildly. They may also experience long-term side effects of Etoposide consumption that differ entirely from the above. 

Etoposide uses 

One is to know more about Etoposide uses. There may be different kinds of uses for different medications, just like there are Etoposide uses. Treatment of testicular, bladder, prostate, lung, stomach, and uterine cancers may be some Etoposide uses. Treatment of Hodgkin’s and non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, mycosis fungicides, Kaposi’s sarcoma, Wilm’s tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, neuroblastoma, brain tumors may are some more notable but less common Etoposide uses. It could also be given to a patient when they may need high-dose therapy in a setting where a bone marrow transplant is being done. Depending on whether a doctor or medical professional feels it may need to be used in treating a patient, there may also be some other Etoposide uses. If you want to know more about Etoposide uses, you may refer to your doctor or a suitable medical professional.

Etoposide chemotherapy 

A patient may be given chemotherapy, and one of the notable Etoposide uses is to treat cancer. The chemotherapy process involves giving a patient medication that will hinder the growth and expansion of a tumor in the body of the person that has cancer. A patient may also be given Etoposide chemotherapy if a doctor or medical professional feels like it is suitable for treating a patient. Etoposide may be given to patients to treat some kinds of cancers. In the best case scenario, a person may be cured of their cancer.

 The cancers that may be treated using Etoposide are testicular, prostate, bladder, stomach, and lung cancer. Etoposide may be made on the recommendation of a doctor or suitable medical professional to damage the RNA or DNA that tells the cell how it may copy itself in the division. If cells are not able to divide, they die. The faster the cells may divide, the easier it becomes for chemotherapy to kill those cells. This will cause the tumor to shrink. Chemotherapy may also lead to cell suicide, self-death, or apoptosis.

A cancerous or malignant tumor causes cancer. There may be two kinds of tumors in a person’s body- malignant or benign. A benign tumor is formed of harmless cells, has minimal detrimental effects on a patient, expands slowly, and does not move from location to location. A malignant tumor, however, expands very fast and changes from location to location, degrading any part of the body where it is present. The malignant tumor is formed by harmful cancerous cells. To inhibit the expansion of these cells and this cancerous tumor, chemotherapy may often be necessary. Some patients even go through radiation therapy to treat cancer. 

Etoposide price or Etoposide cost 

Etoposide price or Etoposide cost may be necessary for many who want to avail of Etoposide uses. Due to the sharp rise in medical costs and the scarcity of doctors in the country, especially for specialized treatments that have led to the rise in healthcare prices, people have faced many problems affording necessary treatments. Cancer treatment can also often be costly, with different medications, therapies, and treatments adding to massive amounts. This is why a person who has cancer or has been prescribed Etoposide may want to know the Etoposide price or Etoposide cost.

Etoposide price or Etoposide cost is: 

  • Etoposide Capsule 50mg, For Hospital at Rs 432/bottle

A patient may note the Etoposide price or Etoposide cost before purchasing the medication. The above Etoposide price or Etoposide cost may sometimes vary depending on the location where it’s being bought, the pharmacy, or the amount of medication. Generally, however, the Etoposide price or Etoposide cost will stay around the range of the price that has been given above. You may approach your doctor, pharmacist, or any other suitable medical authority if you have any queries regarding the Etoposide price or Etoposide cost.

What should I tell my doctor before I take Etoposide?

The doctor or medical professional that is overlooking your treatment may need to know about the following conditions:

  • Currently have or recently had some infection
  • Are you suffering from or have recently suffered from kidney disease
  • Are you suffering from or have recently suffered from liver disease
  • Have low blood count due to low white cell counts, red cell counts, or platelets in one’s body
  • Have you reacted with Etoposide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives in the past 
  • Are you expecting or trying to have a child
  • Are currently nursing a child (breastfeeding)

You must try and provide your doctor with as much information as you can before you undergo treatment.

What medications may interact with Etoposide?

You must stay aware of the medications that could interact with Etoposide. Patients must also inform their doctor if they take other medications while consuming Etoposide. 

  • Cyclosporine
  • Warfarin

While the above medications should be avoided while having Etoposide, you must ask your doctor if anything else could react with it. Suppose you experience some reaction when taking Etoposide. In that case, you must inform your doctor about the same or call an ambulance or poison control hotline for assistance if reactions are severe and sudden.

How can Etoposide chemotherapy harm me?

While Etoposide chemotherapy may help slow down or stagnate the expansion of a cancerous tumor and increase the number of cancer cells in a person’s body, it can also harm you. When the growth and increase of cancer cells in the body are halted by attacking them, Etoposide chemotherapy medication may also attack the healthy cells in a person’s body. When the healthy cells in a person’s body that are supposed to protect them and fight off infections cannot do this, they may become weak and more susceptible to infections, making them even weaker. If you start to become too weak when you do Etoposide, you must inform your doctor.

May I be at risk of other cancers if I take this medication?

While the goal of Etoposide is to help treat a patient, it is also a very strong medication. SAAs a result, a person taking Etoposide may be at an increased risk of some types of cancers. You may consult your doctor or a suitable medical professional about this and the risks you suffer from taking Etoposide.

Monitoring 

Monitoring is an integral part of any treatment. Patients that are taking Etoposide may often be monitored. This will ensure that the medication is having the intended effects on the patient and they are not experiencing some adverse reaction that has gone undetected. 

How must I take this medication?

Take this medicine orally with water.You must swallow the tablet whole and follow the directions that have been provided on the prescription label. You must avoid opening, crushing, or chewing the medication capsules. You may wear gloves when handling this medicine. You must take the medication as directed by your doctor and follow the dosage amount they told you to take. You must keep taking the medication as directed by your doctor and only stop taking it if your doctor directs you. You may also consult your doctor about taking this medication with food. Sometimes doctors may recommend you take medications with certain meals at certain times. You must note all the directions your doctor may provide you concerning this and follow them.

What some alternate names of this Etoposide?

The brand name of Etoposide is VePesid. It may help to know about alternative medication names as these could be used during patient treatment by a doctor, medical professional, or pharmacist, among others. By being aware of this, confusion may be avoided. 

Can I go into the sunlight while taking Etoposide?

A person taking Etoposide medication, availing Etoposide uses may avoid going into the sunlight for too long. It would be best to not expose yourself to the sun in order to prevent any kind of adverse reaction. You must wear SPF 15 or higher sunscreen. You should also try to wear some protective clothing to create a layer between you and the sunlight.

Can I be immunized while taking Etoposide? 

You should be cautious about getting any immunization or vaccination, especially when taking a strong medication like Etoposide. Without your doctor’s approval, you should not receive any immunization or vaccination while taking Etoposide. It is important to discuss whether you can be immunized for something you may have due to immunization and taking Etoposide simultaneously. 

What if I overdose on Etoposide?

You may need urgent assistance if you have taken too much Etoposide medication. You must closely monitor your reaction to the overdose of the Etoposide medicine. If your reactions to the overdose are sudden and severe, contact emergency services or even a poison hotline that may be able to provide you with the necessary medical staff or assistance to deal with your overdose. 

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Etoposide and not too much time has passed since it was to be taken, you must take the necessary dose as soon as possible. If great deal of time has passed since you had to take the medication, you may take the next dose normally and skip the previous dose that has been missed. You must not take double or extra doses unless your doctor advises it. 

Can children take this medicine?

One must be very careful when giving any medication to a child. You must consult your pediatrician to understand more about Etoposide and its effects on children if your child has been prescribed the same or to ask general questions about it. Special care may need to be afforded to a child, especially if they are quite young, such as babies or infants. Children are still in developmental stages, so having a strong medication like Etoposide could harm their growth and development. 

Can I get pregnant while taking this medication?

A person shall not become pregnant while taking Etoposide or for at least six months after they stop taking it. You must consult your doctor if you may be planning to have a child or think you might be pregnant. Women of childbearing age must often produce a negative pregnancy test before taking Etoposide. This is because if the medication is consumed while one is pregnant, it could severely harm the unborn child. It could cause developmental delays, defects at birth, and cognitive issues. 

Can I breastfeed while taking Etoposide?

One must avoid breastfeeding a child while consuming Etoposide. This is because the medication may pass from the person’s body into the breastmilk, which may affect the child detrimentally. The medication could be too strong for children, especially an infant or a young child, which may lead to developmental delays, cognitive decline, side effects, and reactions. It may therefore be best to avoid taking Etoposide in this situation.

Contraception while taking Etoposide

Men must use suitable contraception if they consume Etoposide. A latex condom must be used during intercourse while taking this medicine and for a period of four months after one has stopped taking it. A latex condom must be used by men in this situation, even if they have undergone a vasectomy. You must avoid getting your partner pregnant while having Etoposide as it could harm a fetus developing in the womb. You must not donate sperm while having Etoposide and four months after you stop taking it. If you want to have a child, it is recommended that you discuss the same with your doctor or a suitable medical professional.

Etoposide and sperm count 

Fertility may be of concern to a person that is taking Etoposide and may want to start a family. Etoposide may reduce sperm count in a person’s body. This may make it harder for them to have a child. If you are concerned about sperm count as a patient receiving treatment by taking Etoposide, you must consult your doctor or a suitable medical professional. They may be able to recommend alternative routes or treatments or other advice relating to preserving the sperm count in your body.

Can I consume alcohol while taking Etoposide?

A person shall be cautious while consuming alcohol if they take any medication. This is because many medications react with Etoposide, often detrimental to the person who has consumed it. This is why it is generally recommended not to consume alcohol while taking any medicine. 

If you may still like to drink alcohol, your doctor may recommend the amount you should have or give you a limit for how much alcohol you may consume in a certain period while taking Etoposide. If you drink alcohol and experience some reaction, you may call emergency services or contact a poison control hotline. These entities may be able to provide you with the necessary assistance if you may need it.

How shall I store this medication?

You must keep the medication away from children. It may be stored in a cool place like a refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C or 36 and 46 degrees F. You must ensure that the medication does not freeze. You must also try to keep the medicine away from heat or moisture. This will ensure that the medicine stays in its original form so that it may have the intended effects on the person taking it. After it has expired, you must throw away the Etoposide medication. You can consult your doctor, pharmacist, or medical professional with queries about Etoposide medication storage. 

What precautions may be taken after the patient takes the medicine?

Etoposide may serve as a health hazard to the people taking care of the patients taking this medication. If you are a caregiver for a patient taking this medicine, you must follow some specific safety precautions while giving this drug. For approximately 48 hours after the patient has taken this drug, their body will contain it. During these 48 hours, caregivers must be careful and follow safety guidelines when handling the patient’s vomit, blood, urine, and bowel movements, which may also include diapers. They may have to wear gloves when they are cleaning up body fluids. They may also have to be careful about throwing away unused medication, any material used to clean up after a patient, etc. You can discuss these precautions with your doctor or a suitable medical authority. 

Conclusion 

Patients must stay as informed as possible about the kind of medication they are taking, the side effects they could experience, its price, and its storage, among other aspects. This will allow for the best treatment results for the patient using the medication they have been given. This will also allow the doctor to afford the patient the best treatment possible because of a lack of confusion, awareness about side effects, understanding of how the medication must be taken, etc. Etoposide is a valuable medication that can have intended effects on a patient if taken appropriately. You can also visit Impact Guru to donate further.