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CancerQuest > Drugs > Etoposide (Etopophos®, Vepesid®, VP-16®)

Etoposide (Etopophos®, Vepesid®, VP-16®)

Generic Name: Etoposide Brand Name(s): Etopophos®, Vepesid®, VP-16® IUPAC: 4'-demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin 9-[4,6-O-(R)-ethylidene-beta-D-glucopyranoside], 4'-(dihydrogen phosphate) FDA Approval: yes Manufacturer Link

Usage: Malignancies in which etoposide is used include small cell and other lung cancers, gastric cancer, germ cell tumors. Etoposide may be administered intravenously or in pill form.

Mechanism: Etoposide (Etopophos®, Vepesid®, VP-16®) exerts its anticancer effects by inhibiting the enzyme topoisomerase. This ultimately leads to unrepaired breaks in cellular DNA.

Side Effects: Common side effects include alopecia (hair loss), decreased white blood cell count, nausea. Birth defects are possible; women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant should not take this drug. Patients may also experience an increased tendency to bleed and should avoid taking aspirin, as this 'thins' the blood increasing the chance of bleeding. Etopside may have a negative affects on the the immune system. Because of this, patients should not receive immunizations while being treated. ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

References for this page:

1. Physician's Desk Reference, 56th ed., 2002. Medcial Economics: Thomson Healthcare.
2. Etopophos.. Prescribing Information. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. February, 1999. [http://www.bms.com]