Side Effects

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

  1. Black, tarry stools
  2. bleeding gums
  3. blood in the urine or stools
  4. chest pain
  5. chills
  6. cough
  7. fever
  8. painful or difficult urination
  9. pale skin
  10. pinpoint red spots on the skin
  11. sore throat
  12. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  13. swollen glands
  14. troubled breathing with exertion
  15. unusual bleeding or bruising
  16. unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

  1. Blurred vision
  2. confusion
  3. cough or hoarseness, accompanied by fever or chills
  4. difficulty with swallowing
  5. dizziness
  6. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  7. face is warm or hot to touch
  8. fast heartbeat
  9. headache
  10. hives, itching, or skin rash
  11. lower back or side pain, accompanied by fever or chills
  12. nervousness
  13. numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes
  14. pain or redness at the site of injection
  15. pale skin at the site of injection
  16. pounding in the ears
  17. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  18. redness to face
  19. slow or fast heartbeat
  20. sweating
  21. tightness in the chest

Rare

  1. Back pain
  2. difficulty with walking
  3. loss of consciousness
  4. swelling of the face or tongue
  5. tightness in the throat

Incidence not known

  1. Abdominal or stomach pain, severe
  2. blindness
  3. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  4. blue-yellow color blindness
  5. dark urine
  6. decreased vision
  7. eye pain
  8. joint or muscle pain
  9. loss of appetite
  10. nausea or vomiting
  11. red, irritated eyes
  12. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  13. seizures
  14. yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  1. Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
  2. change in taste
  3. constipation
  4. cracked lips
  5. hair loss or thinning of the hair
  6. lack or loss of strength
  7. swelling or inflammation of the mouth
  8. weight loss

This medicine often causes a temporary loss of hair. After treatment with etoposide has ended, normal hair growth should return.

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: Sept. 01, 2023