Etoposide Indication.
For use in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of refractory testicular tumors and as first line treatment in patients with small cell lung cancer. Also used to treat other malignancies such as lymphoma, non-lymphocytic leukemia, and glioblastoma multiforme.
Etoposide Contraindications.
Etoposide for Injection is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated a previous hypersensitivity to etoposide, etoposide phosphate, or any other component of the formulations.
Etoposide is prescribed to treat:
* testicular cancer
* lung cancer
Etoposide is in a class of drugs known as podophyllotoxin derivatives; it slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.
A semisynthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin that exhibits antitumor activity. Etoposide inhibits DNA synthesis by forming a complex with topoisomerase II and DNA. This complex induces breaks in double stranded DNA and prevents repair by topoisomerase II binding. Accumulated breaks in DNA prevent entry into the mitotic phase of cell division, and lead to cell death. Etoposide acts primarily in the G2 and S phases of the cell cycle.
Etoposide is an antineoplastic agent and an epipodophyllotoxin (a semisynthetic derivative of the podophyllotoxins). It inhibits DNA topoisomerase II, thereby inhibiting DNA synthesis. Etoposide is cell cycle dependent and phase specific, affecting mainly the S and G2 phases. Two different dose-dependent responses are seen. At high concentrations (10 ēg/mL or more), lysis of cells entering mitosis is observed. At low concentrations (0.3 to 10 ēg/mL), cells are inhibited from entering prophase. It does not interfere with microtubular assembly. The predominant macromolecular effect of etoposide appears to be the induction of DNA strand breaks by an interaction with DNA-topoisomerase II or the formation of free radicals.
Etoposide side effects.
- breathing discomfort;
- changes in taste;
- chills;
- constipation;
- diarrhea;
- dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling of faintness;
- fatigue;
- fever;
- itching;
- loss of appetite;
- mouth blistering;
- nausea and vomiting;
- pain at the injection site;
- persistent diarrhea or any change in normal bowel habits for more than 2 days;
- rash;
- shortness of breath;
- sore throat;
- stomach pain;
- thinned or brittle hair;
- unusual bruising or bleeding;
