Etopophos (Etoposide Phosphate) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 9, 2012

Etopophos

Cancer »

What is cancer?

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells anywhere in a body. The abnormal cells are termed cancer cells, malignant cells, or tumor cells. Many cancers and the abnormal cells that compose the cancer tissue are further identified by the name of the tissue that the abnormal cells originated from (for example, breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer). Cancer is not confined to humans; animals and other living organisms can get cancer. Below is a schematic that shows normal cell division and how when a cell is damaged or altered without repair to its system, the cell usually dies. Also shown is what can occur when such damaged or unrepaired cells do not die and become cancer cells and proliferate with uncontrolled growth; a mass of cancer cells develop. Frequently, cancer cells can break away from this original mass of cells, travel through the blood and lymph systems, and lodge in other organs where they can again repeat the ...

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Etopophos

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ETOPOPHOS®
(etoposide phosphate) for Injection

WARNING

ETOPOPHOS® (etoposide phosphate) for Injection should be administered under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Severe myelosuppression with resulting infection or bleeding may occur.

DRUG DESCRIPTION

ETOPOPHOS (etoposide phosphate) for Injection is an antineoplastic agent which is available for intravenous infusion as a sterile lyophile in single-dose vials containing etoposide phosphate equivalent to 100 mg etoposide, 32.7 mg sodium citrate USP, and 300 mg dextran 40.

Etoposide phosphate is a water soluble ester of etoposide (commonly known as VP-16), a semi-synthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin. The water solubility of etoposide phosphate lessens the potential for precipitation following dilution and during intravenous administration.

The chemical name for etoposide phosphate is:

4'-Demethylepipodophyllotoxin 9-[4,6-O-(R)-ethylidene-β-D-glucopyranoside], 4'-(dihydrogen phosphate).

Etoposide phosphate has the following structure:

ETOPOPHOS® (etoposide phosphate) Structural Formula Illustration

What are the possible side effects of etoposide phosphate (Etopophos)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
feeling like you might pass out;
severe nausea and vomiting;
black, bloody,...

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What are the precautions when taking etoposide phosphate (Etopophos)?

Before using etoposide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: current infections, certain virus illnesses (herpes, chickenpox), blood disorders (e.g., anemia, clotting problems), liver problems, kidney problems, previous radiation/chemotherapy treatment.

Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine or flu vaccine inhaled through the nose.

Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections. Avoid contact with...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 5/12/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.