About etoposide
Anticancer chemotherapy medicine (topoisomerase II inhibitor)
Used for
- Treats small-cell lung cancer and testicular cancer, usually with other medicines.
- Used for some lymphomas and other cancers in specialist treatment plans.
Usual adult dose
Varies by cancer and combination; commonly 50–100 mg/m² intravenously daily for 3–5 days per cycle.
Usual dose in children
Specialist-directed dosing based on body surface area and cancer type; varies widely.
Common side effects
- Low blood cell counts, increasing infection, bleeding, or anaemia risk.
- Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or mouth sores.
- Hair loss and fatigue.
- Low blood pressure during infusion or allergic reactions.
Important warnings
- Given under specialist supervision; blood counts and liver and kidney function require monitoring.
- Can cause serious infections, bleeding, and severe allergic reactions.
- May harm an unborn baby; effective contraception is needed during treatment.
- Avoid live vaccines and discuss infection exposure with the cancer team.
Pregnancy
May harm the fetus. Generally avoided during pregnancy unless a specialist determines treatment is essential.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment because of potential serious harm to the infant.
Interactions
- Ciclosporin can increase etoposide exposure and toxicity.
- Other medicines that suppress bone marrow may increase blood-count problems.
- Live vaccines may cause serious infection during immune suppression.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.