Vepesid Description

Vepesid or generic Etoposide is a chemotherapy drug that is prescribed mainly to treat small cell lung cancer and testicular cancer. Etoposide is derived from the mandrake root and is described as a plant alkaloid that is cell-cycle specific, which means that it attacks cancer cells during different phases of division. This is why chemo therapy is set in cycles in order to be effective at stopping the cancer cells when they are dividing and not at rest. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

How Vepesid Works as a Cell-Cycle Specific Drug

When taken as directed, Vepesid inhibits the action of topoisomerase II, an enzyme involved with DNA replication. Without the activity of this enzyme, the cancer cell’s DNA gets tangled up and is unable to divide and it dies.

Chemotherapy drugs, unfortunately, do not distinguish between healthy and cancer cells, which is why many patients display side effects after their treatment. Your own normal cells are usually able to repair or replace damaged healthy cells, at least until the next round of treatment, while cancer cells cannot.

Conditions Treated by Vepesid

Small cell lung cancer is more likely to cause a paraneoplastic syndrome than any other lung tumors. This syndrome is a group of symptoms that occurs when substances are released by cancer cells that disturb the normal function of other organs and tissues. Treatment for small cell lung cancer may involve radiation or chemotherapy as well as taking Vepesid or Etoposide generic.

Your doctor may also prescribe Vepesid if you have testicular cancer and have already been through surgery, radiation therapy, or other chemo treatments but have shown no improvement. Sometimes chemotherapy drugs are given in combination which helps attack the cancer cells at different stages of development. More than 90% of all testicular cancers are called germ cell tumors which are cells in your testicles that make sperm.

There are two main kinds of germ cell tumors, seminomas and non-seminomas. Only 40 to 45% of testicular cancers are pure seminomas while the remaining are mixtures of other tumor types. Early detection is of key importance, so talk to your family doctor about what to look for and make annual physical exams.

Before You Take Vepesid

Discuss other medical conditions or allergies you have so your doctor or oncologist can decide if Vepesid is the best drug for your treatment. Certain medications may interact with Vepesid and cause a change in the efficacy or produce unwanted side effects so list all Rx drugs, OTC meds, and any homeopathic remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements.

Vepesid Precautions

You should not operate a vehicle or machinery until you are sure how Vepesid will affect your body. It is not recommended to take Vepesid if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast feeding as it could be harmful to your unborn or nursing baby.

Possible Side Effects of Vepesid

• Nausea, vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Temporary hair loss
• Fatigue

Drugs Similar to Vepesid

• Cytoxan
• Emcyt
• Rheumatrex