Vepesid
Vepesid is a medicine used to treat certain types of cancer in adults.
Form
kapseli, pehmeä
Strength
50 mg
Active Ingredient
Etoposide
Manufacturer
Cheplapharm Arzneimittel GmbH
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will determine your exact dose, which is usually 100-200 mg per square meter of body surface area daily for 5 days in a row, or 200 mg per square meter on days 1, 3, and 5. An alternative dose of 50 mg per square meter daily for 2-3 weeks may also be used. Doses are repeated based on blood tests, after at least 21 days (or 7 days for the alternative regimen) from the first treatment.
Method
Take the capsules with a glass of water on an empty stomach.
Important
Do not take more than 200 mg per square meter of body surface area in one day.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Blood disorders (monitored by blood tests)
- •Loss of appetite
- •Temporary hair loss
- •Skin discoloration (pigmentation)
- •Nausea and vomiting
- •Constipation
- •Abdominal pain
- •Weakness (asthenia)
- •General malaise
- •Liver damage (hepatotoxicity)
- •Acute leukemia
- •Diarrhea
- •Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or heart attack
- •High blood pressure
- •Dizziness
- •Sore lips and mouth or throat ulcers
- •Skin problems, such as itching or rash
RARE
- •Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
- •Acid reflux
- •Temporary blindness
- •Flushing
- •Severe skin and/or mucous membrane reactions (e.g., painful blisters, fever, extensive skin peeling, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis)
- •Difficulty swallowing
- •Taste changes
- •Severe allergic reactions
- •Convulsions (seizures)
- •Fever
- •Drowsiness or fatigue
- •Difficulty breathing
- •Sunburn-like rash (may occur on skin previously exposed to radiation therapy and may be severe)
- •Bleeding
- •Infection
- •Infertility
- •Increased liver enzymes
- •Allergic reactions (possibly delayed; caused by parabens)
- •Increased bilirubin
Important Warnings
- Do not take Vepesid if you are allergic to etoposide or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Do not take if you have recently received a live vaccine, such as the yellow fever vaccine.
- Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you have any infections, have recently had radiation or chemotherapy, have low albumin in your blood, or have liver or kidney problems.
- This medicine can lower your blood cell count, making you more likely to get infections or bleed easily. Your doctor will do blood tests to check this.
Show 3 more warnings
- Stop taking the medicine and get urgent medical help if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of your throat or tongue, trouble breathing, fast heartbeat, or a red rash.
- This medicine can cause a rare but serious condition called tumor lysis syndrome, which can harm your liver, kidneys, or heart. Your doctor will monitor you for this risk.
- Vepesid should not be used if you are pregnant unless your doctor says it is absolutely necessary. Both men and women must use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after. Men should also talk to their doctor about storing sperm before treatment.