DRUG

CLASSIFICATION

GENERIC NAME:
Etoposide
BRAND NAME:
Etoposide
DOSAGE:
150mg in 500cc D5W
FREQUENCY:
Infused for two hours

ACTION

INDICATION

SIDE EFFECTS

Etoposide
belongs to a
class of
chemotherapy
drugs called
plant alkaloids.
Plant alkaloids
are made from
plants. The plant
alkaloids are cellcycle specific.
This means they
attack the cells
during various
phases of
division.
Topoisomerase
inhibitors (such
as etoposide) are
drugs that
interfere with the
action of
topoisomerase
enzymes
(topoisomerase I
and II).
Topoisomerase
enzymes control
the manipulation
of the structure

For
chemotherapy of
colon cancer.

Thinning of hair,
hair loss, dry skin

ADVERSE
EFFECTS

NURSING
CONSIDERATIONS
and
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Check vital
signs before and
after infusion.
2. Premedicate
with
antiemetics,
antihistamine
and antacids.
3. Inform patient
about side
effects.
4. Reassure patient
that side effects
are temporary.

of DNA
necessary for
replication.