ADAP drugs: etoposide

etoposide (VP-16, Vepesid)

Drug description

Etoposide has shown effectiveness in preliminary studies for treatment of advanced skin Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS). KS is a type of cancer which men with AIDS may develop. KS is very rare in women with AIDS. The most common symptoms of KS are purplish or brown spots or marks on the skin, often called lesions. KS may spread inside the body as well. Etoposide is a chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Side effects
Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, inflammation of the mouth, loss of coordination of muscle movement, burning or prickling sensation on the skin, rapid heart beat, shortness of breath or wheezing, pain at site of injection, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, and hair loss.

Dosage
Etoposide is taken orally or intravenously. Dosage has to be determined by a doctor for each person individually.

How long it may take to work
Effectiveness of treatment is indicated by resolution of symptoms.

Managing side effects
As with other chemotherapies, taking an antiemetic before or during treatment may help with side effects. Compazine and Dramamine are antiemetics. There are others. Your doctor will prescribe the best one for you.

This information is specific to the use of this medication for HIV-related conditions. For additional information about this drug for other conditions, refer to: www.nursespdr.com/ and www.healthanswers.com/Library/library_fset.asp

The drug descriptions on these pages are intended for informational purposes only. The Network does not promote or endorse the use of any specific treatment for any health-related condition. The medications described here can only be dispensed by a licensed health care professional. The information may have changed since these pages were updated, though every effort is made to keep these pages current. Please contact The Network at (800) 734-7104 to make sure you have the most up-to-date information

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