What is the etoposide' side effects?

Etoposide is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.Etoposide is used to treat small cell lung cancer. It is usually given in combination with other cancer medicines.Etoposide can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily.

Side effects

Side effects are very common. They can include low blood cell counts, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, hair loss, and fever. Other severe side effects include allergic reactions and low blood pressure. Use during pregnancy will likely harm the baby.Etoposide is in the topoisomerase inhibitor family of medication. It is believed to work by damaging DNA.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: fever, chills, sweating, fast heartbeats, fainting; hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or hack;

easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

vision problems;

seizure (convulsions);

liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

low red blood cells (anemia)--pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;

low white blood cell counts--fever, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing; or severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include: nausea, vomiting; or temporary hair loss. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

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