(e-toe-POE-side)
Etoposide (VP-16) is a medicine used to treat certain types of cancer (examples include: leukemias, Hodgkin's disease, neuroblastoma, Ewing's sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Wilm's tumor, and brain tumors) and histiocytosis.
Show AllEtoposide most frequently is given by IV infusion in the hospital. Capsules are available and are infrequently utilized.
- This medication is usually given in the hospital.
- A nurse will be monitoring your blood pressure during the infusion of this medication.
- If capsules are being utilized, they must be kept refrigerated.
- Use precaution when changing your child's diapers or solid linens for 48 hours after a dose - use gloves during this time to avoid contact with the medication.
- If too much medicine is taken by accident, call the Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC), 513-636-5111 or 1-800-222-1222, or call your child's doctor immediately.
- Keep this medication out of the reach of children.
If taking oral capsules, notify your physician immediately if a dose is missed. Never double the dose to try to catch up. For any medication information related to your child's dosing schedule and/or missed doses, contact the healthcare provider who prescribed the medication.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of hair
- Skin rash
- Decrease in blood pressure
- Decreased ability to fight infections
- Allergic reactions
- Sunburn-like skin irritation or rash may occur on areas that were previously treated with radiation therapy (radiation recall).
- Dizziness
- Facial flushing
- Difficulty breathing
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
