Vepesid (etoposide)

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood (leucopenia).

Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia).

Reversible hair loss.

Nausea and vomiting.

Decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood (anaemia).

Abdominal pain.

Loss of appetite.

Diarrhoea or constipation.

Sore mouth or throat.

Changes in blood pressure.

Breathing difficulties due to a narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm).

Disorder of the peripheral nerves causing weakness and numbness (peripheral neuropathy).

Sleepiness (somnolence).

Fatigue.

Alteration in taste.

Fever.

Skin reactions such as rash, itching or darkening of skin.

Difficulty swallowing.

Alteration in results of liver function tests.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines during treatment this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

Chemotherapy decreases the body's immune response. This means that vaccines may be less effective if given during treatment, and live vaccines may cause serious infections. Live vaccines include: measles, mumps, rubella, MMR, oral polio, oral typhoid and yellow fever. If live vaccines are needed they should be postponed until at least six months after finishing chemotherapy.

High doses of the immunosuppressant ciclosporin can increase the amount of etoposide in the blood. As this can lead to more severe side effects, including reduction in white blood cells, your doctor may prescribe a lower than normal dose of etoposide if you are also receiving ciclosporin treatment.

The removal of etoposide from the body may be increased by phenobarbital or phenytoin.

Etoposide may enhance the anti-blood-clotting effect of the anticoagulant warfarin. As this may increase the risk of bleeding, your doctor may want to perform extra monitoring of your blood clotting time (INR) while you are having treatment with this medicine.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Eposin

Etopophos

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