Etovel 50 Capsule
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | GLS Pharma Ltd. |
| Active Ingredient | Etoposide (50mg) |
| Storage | Store in a refrigerator (2 - 8°C). Do not freeze. |
| Chemical Class | Podophyllotoxins Derivative |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | ANTI NEOPLASTICS |
| Action Class | Alkaloids-cytotoxic agents |
| User Rating | 4.5 |
| User Reviews | 712 |
FAQ
Etovel 50 Capsule Reviews
Etovel 50 is used to treat different cancers of lung, and testicles. It is also sometimes used to treat some other kinds of cancer in both men and women. It can be used on its own, or sometimes given together with certain other medicines as part of combination chemotherapy.
Etovel 50 should be taken on an empty stomach, but take it at the same time to get the most benefit. It should be taken as your doctor's advice. The dose and how often you take it depends on what you are taking it for. Your doctor will decide how much you need to improve your symptoms. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. You should take this medicine for as long as it is prescribed for you. It can lower your immunity, hence maintain distance from people suffering from cold and any other infection.
The most common side effect of this medicine includes low blood platelets, vomiting, nausea, hair loss, and anemia (low number of red blood cells). If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them. It is important to use effective contraception to avoid getting pregnant or fathering a child during treatment.
Before taking this medicine, let your doctor know if you have liver or kidney disease, or if have been on radiation therapy. Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your doctor may check you for blood cells and liver functioning while taking this medicine.
Etovel 50 should be taken on an empty stomach, but take it at the same time to get the most benefit. It should be taken as your doctor's advice. The dose and how often you take it depends on what you are taking it for. Your doctor will decide how much you need to improve your symptoms. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. You should take this medicine for as long as it is prescribed for you. It can lower your immunity, hence maintain distance from people suffering from cold and any other infection.
The most common side effect of this medicine includes low blood platelets, vomiting, nausea, hair loss, and anemia (low number of red blood cells). If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them. It is important to use effective contraception to avoid getting pregnant or fathering a child during treatment.
Before taking this medicine, let your doctor know if you have liver or kidney disease, or if have been on radiation therapy. Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your doctor may check you for blood cells and liver functioning while taking this medicine.
How Etovel 50 Capsule Works
Etovel 50 is an anti-cancer medication. It works by suppressing the activity of an enzyme (topoisomerase II) involved in DNA multiplication of the cancer cells. This slows the growth of cancer cells and eventually kills them.
How to Use Etovel 50 Capsule
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Etovel 50 is to be taken empty stomach.
Benefits of Etovel 50 Capsule
- In Testicular cancer: Testicular cancer is the cancer in the male organs called testicles, that make male hormones and sperm. The testicles are located inside a loose bag of skin (scrotum) underneath the penis. Etovel 50 kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells in men. It is given as an injection by a doctor or nurse and should not be self-administered.
- In Small cell lung cancer: Small cell lung cancer is a fast-growing type of lung cancer commonly caused by smoking that starts with small tumors in the lungs but eventually spreads to the other parts of the body as well. Etovel 50 helps treat such types of cancer and may be given alone or in combination with other medicines. It is a potent and very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Uses of Etovel 50 Capsule
- Small cell lung cancer
- Testicular cancer
Etovel 50 Capsule Side Effects
Safety Tips
Liver
CAUTION
Etovel 50 should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Etovel 50 may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Etovel 50 is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
Kidney
CAUTION
Etovel 50 should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Etovel 50 may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Etovel 50 is not recommended in patients with end-stage kidney disease.
Breast feeding
UNSAFE
Etovel 50 is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Driving
SAFE
Etovel 50 does not usually affect your ability to drive.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Etovel 50 is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Etovel 50. Please consult your doctor.
Quick Tips
- Use an effective method of birth control to avoid pregnancy while taking this medication.
- Let your doctor know if you notice a skin rash, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and swelling of the tongue.
- Etovel 50 should be taken on an empty stomach.
- Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to monitor your electrolyte levels, liver function, blood cell count in your blood.
- Do not skip any dose and complete the course as suggested by your doctor.
References
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 520-21.
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Etoposide. [Updated 2019 Jun 3].
- Chabner BA, Bertino J, Cleary J, et al. Cytotoxic Agents. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1715-16.