Etoposide
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Ivel LeviEtoposide
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Ivel LeviACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATE: Medication
Nnenna Tonte-Ojogbo
STUDENT NAME______________________________________
Etoposide
MEDICATION___________________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER____________
CATEGORY CLASS_______________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE OF MEDICATION
Expected Pharmacological Action Therapeutic Use
Etoposide is a topoisomerase II inhibitor that works by interfering Etoposide is used to treat various types of cancers, including
with DNA replication and transcription in cancer cells. It induces testicular cancer, small cell lung cancer, lymphomas, and acute
DNA strand breaks by inhibiting topoisomerase II, an enzyme critical leukemias. It is often used in combination with other chemotherapy
for DNA replication and repair. This action leads to cell cycle arrest agents to enhance efficacy and reduce resistance. Etoposide's
and apoptosis in rapidly dividing cancer cells. effectiveness in treating these cancers makes it a valuable
component of many chemotherapy regimens.
Complications Medication Administration
Common complications associated with Etoposide include myelosuppression, Etoposide is typically administered
leading to anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Other potential intravenously (IV) over 30-60 minutes. The
complications include nausea, vomiting, alopecia, and mucositis. Rare but dosage and schedule depend on the type
serious complications can include secondary malignancies like acute myeloid of cancer being treated, patient response,
leukemia (AML) due to the drug's effect on DNA. and other chemotherapy agents used in
combination. Oral formulations of
Etoposide are also available but are less
commonly used due to variable absorption.
Contraindications/Precautions
Etoposide is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe
hypersensitivity to the drug or its components. Precautions should be
taken in patients with pre-existing myelosuppression, liver or kidney Nursing Interventions
dysfunction, or those who have received prior radiation or
chemotherapy. Monitoring blood counts and adjusting doses as Nursing interventions for patients receiving
Etoposide include monitoring for signs of
necessary is crucial to minimize risks.
myelosuppression, assessing for
effectiveness of treatment, and managing
side effects like nausea or mucositis.
Nurses should also educate patients on
Interactions potential side effects and the importance of
follow-up care and blood tests.
Etoposide can interact with other medications that affect its
metabolism or enhance its toxicity. Caution should be used when
co-administering with other myelosuppressive agents or drugs that
affect liver enzymes like CYP3A4. Monitoring for potential interactions
and adjusting dosages as necessary is essential to minimize risks.
Client Education
Client education for Etoposide should
include information on the purpose of
Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness the medication, potential side effects
like hair loss or increased risk of
The effectiveness of Etoposide is evaluated based on infection, and the importance of
tumor response, such as reduction in tumor size or follow-up care and blood tests.
improvement in cancer-related symptoms. Monitoring of Patients should be advised to report
any signs of infection, bleeding, or
blood counts and assessment of side effects are also other concerning symptoms.
essential to determine the efficacy and safety of therapy.