Vepesid

The recommended dose and dosing schedule of Vepesid (Etoposide) varies according to the specific condition being treated, the response to therapy, and the other medications or treatments being used. The dose administered is also based on body size.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are receiving the medication without consulting your doctor.

Vepesid (Etoposide) is available as an injectable preparation or as a capsule to be taken by mouth. It should only be prescribed or given by health care professionals familiar with the use of chemotherapy medications to treat cancer.

The injectable form is injected into a vein through a site on your skin that has been specially prepared for this purpose. This form of Vepesid (Etoposide) is always given under the direct supervision of a doctor. Very careful handling of Vepesid (Etoposide) is required. It is always administered in a hospital or similar setting with access to sterile equipment for preparation.

Vepesid (Etoposide) capsules should be taken on an empty stomach. Vepesid (Etoposide) often causes nausea and vomiting, but it is very important that you continue to take the medication, even if you begin to feel ill. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can advise you on how to reduce the effects of nausea and vomiting. If you vomit shortly after taking a dose of Vepesid (Etoposide), call your doctor to determine whether you should take the dose again or wait until the next dose.

It is important to take Vepesid (Etoposide) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

As well as interfering with the genetic material (DNA) of cancer cells, Vepesid (Etoposide) can interfere with some of your normal cells. This can cause a number of side effects. Keep track of any side effects and report them to your doctor, as suggested in the section "What side effects are possible with Vepesid (Etoposide)?"

Store the capsule form of Vepesid (Etoposide) at room temperature, and keep it out of the reach of children. Any unused medication should be returned to your pharmacy or treatment clinic for proper disposal. The injectable form of Vepesid (Etoposide) will be stored at the hospital or clinic where you receive treatment.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Each pink, liquid-filled, soft gelatin capsule contains 50 mg of Vepesid (Etoposide). Nonmedicinal ingredients: citric acid, glycerol, polyethylene glycol 400 and water; capsule shell: gelatin, glycerol, iron oxide red, parabens (ethyl and propyl), purified water, sorbitol, and titanium dioxide.

Do not use Vepesid (Etoposide) if you:

• are allergic to Vepesid (Etoposide) or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• have severe kidney or liver disease
• have severely reduced levels of white blood cells or platelets

There may be an interaction between Vepesid (Etoposide) and any of the following:

• Amiodarone
• amphotericin B
• Aprepitant
• Atorvastatin
• atovaquone
• azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, posaconazole, Voriconazole)
• BCG vaccine
• boceprevir
• Bosentan
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Diltiazem, Verapamil)
• Carvedilol
• Clozapine
• Cobicistat
• conivaptan
• Cyclosporine
• Deferasirox
• Denosumab
• Dexamethasone
• Dipyridamole
• echinacea
• Enzalutamide
• Fingolimod
• grapefruit juice
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., delaviridine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., darunavir, indinavir, lopinavir, saquinavir, tipranavir)
• Ivacaftor
• Leflunomide
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• Mefloquine
• mifepristone
• Mirabegron
• Modafinil
• Natalizumab
• nefazodone
• Pimecrolimus
• Pimozide
• Progesterone
• Propranolol
• quinidine
• quinine
• reserpine
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• seizure medications (e.g., Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, primidone)
• St. John's wort
• Tacrolimus
• telaprevir
• tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., Crizotinib, Dasatinib, imatinib, Nilotinib)
• vaccines
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Vepesid (Etoposide). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Vepesid (Etoposide).

Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions, including difficulty breathing and swelling of the throat and mouth, can occur with the use of Vepesid (Etoposide). Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Blood clotting: Vepesid (Etoposide) can reduce the number of platelet cells in the blood. Platelets help the blood to clot, and a shortage could make you bleed more easily. Tell your doctor of any signs that your blood is not clotting as quickly as usual. Such symptoms may include black and tarry stools, blood in the urine, easy bruising, or cuts that won't stop bleeding.

Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, Vepesid (Etoposide) can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). If possible, avoid contact with people who have contagious infections. Tell your doctor if you begin to notice the signs of an infection such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.

Kidney function: Vepesid (Etoposide) can reduce kidney function. If you have Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how Vepesid (Etoposide) may affect your medical condition, and how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Vepesid (Etoposide). Your doctor will routinely monitor your kidney function with blood tests.

Liver function: Vepesid (Etoposide) can reduce liver function. If you have liver disease or reduced liver function, discuss with your doctor how Vepesid (Etoposide) may affect your medical condition, and how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Vepesid (Etoposide). Your doctor will routinely monitor your kidney function with blood tests. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you notice signs of decreased liver function, such as yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark urine, pale stools, or abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting.

Pregnancy: Vepesid (Etoposide) can cause harm to the unborn baby when it is taken by pregnant women. It should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Vepesid (Etoposide), contact your doctor immediately.

Vepesid (Etoposide) can cause changes to sperm in men, decreasing fertility. Women and men receiving Vepesid (Etoposide) should use effective contraceptive methods.

Breast-feeding: Vepesid (Etoposide) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Vepesid (Etoposide), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Vepesid (Etoposide) for children have not been clearly established. It should only be prescribed or given by health care professionals familiar with the use of chemotherapy medications to treat cancer in children.