CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION
NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons
living in Australia. This page contains answers to some common
questions about . It does
not contain all the information that is known about
. It does not take the
place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks
and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risk of you using this medicine
against the benefits he/she expects it will have for you. If you have
any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Bookmark or print this page, you may need to read it again.
What Etoposide Injection is used for
Etoposide belongs to a group of anticancer drugs known as epipodophyllotoxins. Etoposide is active against a number of cancers
preventing the growth of cancer cells and eventually destroying them.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you are given Etoposide Injection
When you must not be given it
Do not use Etoposide Injection if:
you have an allergy to etoposide or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
you have a liver disease
If you are not sure whether any of these apply to you, check with your doctor.
Before you are given it
You and your partner must use a reliable method of contraception (birth control) during treatment with Etoposide Injection.
Tell your doctor if:
1.
you have any allergies to:
any other medicine
any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes
2.
you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
3.
you are breast-feeding or plan to breast feed
4.
you are receiving or have received chemotherapy or radiotherapy
5.
you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
kidney conditions
any infections
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop or any immunisations.
Your doctor will advise you about continuing to take other medicines while you are receiving Etoposide Injection.
How Etoposide Injection is given
Etoposide Injection is given as an infusion into a vein over 30 to 60 minutes. Etoposide Injection must only be given by
a doctor or nurse.
Your doctor will decide what dose, how often and how long you will receive Etoposide Injection. This depends on your condition
and other factors, such as your weight, age, blood tests and how well your liver and kidneys are working.
Etoposide Injection is always diluted in an intravenous fluid bag before being infused into a vein. Etoposide is usually
given daily 5 days, this is known as a "cycle". Treatment cycles of etoposide may be repeated every 2-3 weeks.
If you are given too much (overdose)
This rarely happens as Etoposide Injection is administered under the care of a highly trained doctor.
However, if you are given too much Etoposide Injection, you may experience some of the effects listed under "Side Effects"
below.
Your doctor has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose. Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.
Side effects
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Etoposide Injection.
Like other medicines, Etoposide Injection can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor or temporary.
However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions that you may have.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:
swelling, burning sensation, red skin, changes in skin colour, or hardness where you had the injection
a rash or hives
headache, dizziness or light-headedness especially if you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
breathlessness or shortness of breath
flushing
fast heartbeat
blurred vision or blindness
mouth ulcers
fever and chills, sore throat, sweats or are generally unwell
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they concern you:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain
reduction or loss of appetite
difficulty swallowing
loss of hair
Other side effects may be only seen by blood tests. Your doctor will carry out any necessary tests.
Product Description
What it looks like
Etoposide Injection is a clear, yellowish solution in a plastic ampoule.
Etoposide Injection can be identified by an Australian Register Number, which is found on the carton:
AUST R 11365 Etoposide Injection 100mg in 5mL (sterile) Plastic Vial (single pack).
AUST R 11365 Etoposide Injection 100mg in 5mL (sterile) Plastic Vial (10 pack).
AUST R 52986 Etoposide Injection 500mg in 25mL (sterile) Plastic Vial.
Ingredients
Etoposide Injection contains Etoposide BP, Macrogol 300 BP, Citric Acid BP, Polysorbate 80 BP and Ethanol BP. It does not
contain a preservative.
Manufacturer
Pfizer (Perth) Pty Limited
ABN 32 051 824 956
15 Brodie Hall Drive,
Bentley WA 6102 Australia
Distributed in Australia by:
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
ABN 50 008 422 348
38-42 Wharf Road
West Ryde NSW 2114 Australia
Sponsor in Australia
Pfizer (Perth) Pty Limited
ABN 32 051 824 956
15 Brodie Hall Drive
Bentley WA 6102 Australia
This Consumer Medicine Information was written in September 1998.
Date of most recent amendment: 29 July 2005