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Description
Etoplast 50 mg Capsule is an anticancer medicine used to treat cancer of the testicles (the male organ that produces sperm and the male hormone, testosterone), ovaries (the organ that produces eggs and sex hormones in females), lungs, blood, and lymphatic system (network of tissues and organs). It can be used alone or in combination with other anticancer drugs as a part of chemotherapy. It works by stopping the growth of cancerous cells by changing their DNA.
Etoplast 50 mg Capsule may cause some side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat, mouth ulcers, dizziness, hair loss and loss of appetite. It is advised to be taken on an empty stomach, either half an hour before or 2 hours after a meal. You should take this medicine at the same time every day to maintain a constant level of medicine in the blood. Etoplast 50 mg Capsule can lower your immunity, hence maintaining distance from people suffering from cold and any other infection is advisable.
Etoplast 50 mg Capsule may interact with other health conditions and medicines. If you have kidney, liver or heart problems, you should consult your doctor before taking this medicine. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking. If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medication.
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Substitutes
List of substitutes for Etoplast 50 mg Capsule
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Etoplast 50 mg Capsule
Nausea and Vomiting
Hair loss
Loss of appetite
Decrease in blood cell count
Anaemia
Low blood pressure
Abnormal Liver function
Heart attack
Infections
Rash
Uses of Etoplast 50 mg Capsule
What is it prescribed for?
Small Cell Lung Cancer
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a fast-growing type of lung cancer commonly caused by smoking. It usually starts in the breathing tubes (bronchi) and grows very quickly. This cancer can spread rapidly to other parts of your body. Symptoms of SCLC may include bloody cough/phlegm, chest pain and shortness of breath. Etoplast 50 mg Capsule is used in the treatment of SCLC. This medicine interferes with the growth of these cancer cells and prevents them from spreading.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in testicles, male organs that make male hormones and sperm. This cancer occurs when healthy cells in a testicle become altered and start multiplying. Symptoms include a lump in either testicle and a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum (sac of skin at the base of the penis). Etoplast 50 mg Capsule is one of the most commonly used treatments for testicular cancer.
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects blood and bone marrow (the soft inner part of the bone, where new blood cells are made). Its symptoms are weakness, breathlessness, recurrent infections, unusual and frequent bruising or bleeding, fever, etc. Etoplast 50 mg Capsule is used in the treatment of AML.
Hodgkin Lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a cancer of a part of the immune system called the lymphatic system. This cancer originates from a specific type of white blood cells called lymphocytes (cells that protect your body from infection). As cancer progresses, it limits the body's ability to fight infection. Its symptoms are fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Etoplast 50 mg Capsule is used in the treatment of Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the ovaries, the female reproductive organs that produce hormones and eggs. Ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it spreads to the adjacent parts of the body. Etoplast 50 mg Capsule is used in the treatment of cancer that affects your ovaries.
Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects certain cells (white blood cells) of the lymphatic system. Its symptoms are fever, stomach pain, night sweats, weight loss, loss of appetite, etc. Etoplast 50 mg Capsule is used in the treatment of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?
The amount of time required for Etoplast 50 mg Capsule to show its action is not clinically established.How long do the effects of this medicine last?
The amount of time for which Etoplast 50 mg Capsule remains active in your body is not clinically established.Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is this a habit forming medicine?
No habit forming tendencies were reported for Etoplast 50 mg Capsule.Can this medicine be taken during pregnancy?
Etoplast 50 mg Capsule is not recommended for use if you are pregnant as it may harm the growth of your foetus. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine only if the benefits outweigh the risk.Can this medicine be taken while breast-feeding?
Etoplast 50 mg Capsuleis not recommended for use during breastfeeding. This medicine is passed in breast milk, which may harm your baby. You will be prescribed this medicine only if the benefits outweigh the risk. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding for a specific period or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
Etoplast 50 mg Capsule is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it as it can cause redness, swelling, hives (itchy, painful eruptions that sting), breathing difficulties etc.
Severe myelosuppression
Myelosuppression is a side effect of some cancer treatments. It is a condition in which bone marrow (spongy substance present in the bone that produces blood cells) activity is decreased, resulting in fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets formation. Etoplast 50 mg Capsule is not recommended for use if you have severe bone marrow suppression (WBC less than 2,000 cells/mm3 or platelet count less than 75,000 cells/mm3) since it may reduce your disease-fighting capacity. Thus, it may worsen your condition.
Live vaccines
Since Etoplast 50 mg Capsule has the potential to suppress normal defence mechanisms. If you get a live vaccine shot while taking this medicine, you might get a severe infection. Your immune response to vaccinations may be reduced.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Etoplast 50 mg Capsule is not recommended for use if you are pregnant as it may harm the growth of your foetus. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine only if the benefits outweigh the risk.
Breast-feeding
Etoplast 50 mg Capsuleis not recommended for use during breastfeeding. This medicine is passed in breast milk, which may harm your baby. You will be prescribed this medicine only if the benefits outweigh the risk. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding for a specific period or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Anaphylactic reactions
Etoplast 50 mg Capsule may cause severe hypersensitivity or anaphylactic reactions. The symptoms of such reactions may include chills, fever, increased heart rate, breathing difficulties, low blood pressure, etc. It usually occurs soon after taking the medicine.
Drowsiness
Etoplast 50 mg Capsule may cause drowsiness. It is advised that you do not perform activities that require high mental alertness such as driving vehicles or operating heavy machines if you experience drowsiness during treatment with this medicine.
Use in Children
Etoplast 50 mg Capsule should be used with extreme caution in children below 18 years of age since there is limited information on the use of this medicine in such cases.
Missed Dose
If you have missed a dose of Etoplast 50 mg Capsule then take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
If you have consumed more than the prescribed amount of Etoplast 50 mg Capsule go to the emergency department of your local hospital.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Phenobarbital
Adalimumab
Phenytoin
Carboplatin
Clozapine
Disease interactions
Infections
Etoplast 50 mg Capsule is not recommended for use if you have active infections as it may worsen your condition. Inform your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection. Also, while going through the treatment with this medicine wash your hands well and avoid contact with people who have infections.
Kidney disease
Etoplast 50 mg Capsule should be used with extreme caution if you have kidney problems. An impaired kidney will not completely eliminate this medicine from your blood, which increases the risk of toxicity. Inform your doctor if you have kidney problems. You may require dose adjustment based on your clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Carefully follow all instructions given by your doctor and report any severe undesirable side effects to the doctor immediately. Do not consume Etoplast 50 mg Capsule in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Etoplast 50 mg Capsule works by damaging the genetic material (RNA or DNA) present in the cancer cell that tells them to grow and divide. If the cells are unable to divide they will die eventually.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Podophyllotoxins
Schedule
Schedule H
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Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - ETOPOSIDE capsule. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 24 June 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Etoposide: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 24 June 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 24 June 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Vepesid 50 mg Soft Capsules - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 24 June 2021].
Related Questions
Information on this page was last updated on 22 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.