Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using VEPESID?
VEPESID contains the active ingredient etoposide. VEPESID is used to treat certain types of lung cancer, leukaemia (blood cancer) and lymphoma (cancer of the lymph glands).
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using VEPESID? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I use VEPESID?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to etoposide or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use VEPESID? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with VEPESID and affect how it works.
A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.
4. How do I use VEPESID?
- VEPESID capsules may be given to you at the hospital or out patient clinic, or you may take them yourself at home
- You should take VEPESID capsules with water preferably on an empty stomach
- VEPESID is usually given each day for between 3 and 5 days. This is followed by a treatment-free interval of 2-4 weeks.
More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use VEPESID? in the full CMI.
5. What should I know while using VEPESID?
| Things you should do |
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| Things you should not do |
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| Driving or using machines |
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| Looking after your medicine |
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For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using VEPESID? in the full CMI.
6. Are there any side effects?
If you get any of the following side effects, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital: chills, fever, fast heart beat, wheezing or coughing, difficulty breathing, dizziness, flushing, sweating and swelling of the face, tongue or other parts of the body.
Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you notice any of the following: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain or discomfort, constipation. Loss of appetite, aftertaste, sore mouth, problems swallowing, dizziness, feeling tired or down. Rash, itchy skin, discolouration of skin, unusual hair loss or thinning. Infertility. Itching of the skin, joint aches, blisters that look like hives on the upper body, legs, arms, palms, hands, or feet and may involve the face or lips. Frequent infections, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers. Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, nose bleeds, rash of small reddish-purple spots on your skin, blood in your stool or urine. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite with yellowing of the skin and eyes, bleeding, fatigue, weakness, confusion, passing little or no urine. Numbness, tingling and pain in hands or feet, sore mouth, eye pain, vision problems. Tiredness, headaches, being short of breath when exercising, dizziness and looking pale. Pain in lungs, shortness of breath or change in breathing, cough, unusual tiredness, heart problems (e.g. fast heartbeat, heart attack), seizures, hallucinations, muscle cramps or spasms, mouth ulcers and cold sores.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
VEPESID®
Active ingredient: etoposide (e-TOE-poe-side)
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet answers some common questions about VEPESID. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using VEPESID.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using VEPESID?
2. What should I know before I use VEPESID?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use VEPESID?
5. What should I know while using VEPESID?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
1. Why am I using VEPESID?
VEPESID contains the active ingredient etoposide, an anti-cancer medicine. It interferes with the development of cells and causes cell death, particularly in cancer cells.
VEPESID is used to treat certain types of lung cancer, leukaemia (blood cancer) and cancer of the lymph glands.
VEPESID may be used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat cancer. Your doctor will inform you if this is necessary.
2. What should I know before I use VEPESID?
Warnings
Do not use VEPESID if:
- you are allergic to etoposide, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
- always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Check with your doctor if you:
Have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
- liver or kidney problems
- any condition which reduces your blood cell “counts” such as white cells (leukopenia), neutrophils (neutropenia) or platelets (thrombocytopenia).
- take any medicines for any other condition
- infection or high temperature. Your doctor may decide to delay your treatment until the infection has gone.
- recent surgery
- are receiving radiation therapy, which lowers your immune system.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tell your doctor and do not take VEPESID if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Like most medicines used to treat cancer, VEPESID is not recommended for use during pregnancy, unless you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved.
You should use some kind of birth control while you are having VEPESID and for at least 6 months after you stop using it.
VEPESID may cause birth defects if either the male or female is using it at the time of conception.
Tell your doctor and do not take VEPESID if you are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed, unless you have discussed it with your doctor.
It is not known whether VEPESID passes into breast milk. Therefore, there is a possibility that the breast-fed baby may be affected.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking VEPESID.
If you are not sure whether you should have VEPESID, talk to your doctor.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and VEPESID may interfere with each other. These include:
- some other medicines or treatments that are used to treat other forms of cancer such as doxorubicin, epirubicin, daunoribicin, cisplatin, vincristine, radiation therapy and corticosteroids such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone.
- ciclosporin – a medicine used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs
- medicines used to treat epilepsy
- warfarin, a medicine used to reduce blood clotting
- live viral vaccines
- some medicines for pain including phenylbutazone and aspirin
These medicines may be affected by VEPESID, or affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to have different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect VEPESID.
4. How do I use VEPESID?
How much to take
Your doctor will decide what dose you will receive. Your dose of VEPESID capsules is worked out based on your body weight and height, the type of cancer you have and other medicines you are taking. The dose worked out for you may be different to the dose for another patient.
VEPESID may be given alone or in combination with other anti-cancer drugs.
Additional treatment may not be repeated until your blood cell numbers return to acceptable levels and any uncontrolled effects have been controlled.
Ask your doctor if you want to know more about the dose of VEPESID you receive.
How to take VEPESID
VEPESID capsules may be given to you at the hospital or out patient clinic or you may take them yourself at home. You should only take VEPESID capsules with water, preferably on an empty stomach.
How long it is given
VEPESID is usually given each day for between 3 and 5 days. This is followed by a treatment-free interval of 2-4 weeks. This is called one cycle of chemotherapy. Your doctor will decide how many of these cycles you will need. VEPESID may be given at the same time as other anti-cancer agents, or may be given alone.
If you forget to take VEPESID
If you are taking VEPESID capsules at home and you forget to take a dose – if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you use too much VEPESID
If you think that you have used too much VEPESID, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
- phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling 13 11 26), or - contact your doctor, or
- go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Symptoms of overdose may include collapse, sores and pain in the mouth and throat, fever, chills, weakness, feeling tired or down, headache, confusion, fast heart beat, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the skin and eyeballs, and lower back or side pain.
5. What should I know while using VEPESID?
Things you should do
Be sure to keep all your doctor’s appointments and follow up appointments so your progress can be checked.
Remind any doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist you visit that you are using VEPESID.
Because VEPESID destroys blood cells, regular blood tests will be taken during treatment to check your blood cell counts.
Tell you doctor, dentist or pharmacist straight away that you are taking VEPESID if you:
- are about to be started on any new medicine
- plan to have surgery that needs a general anaesthetic
VEPESID can lower the number of white blood cells and platelets in your blood. This means that you have an increased chance of getting an infection or bleeding. The following precautions should be taken to reduce your risk if infection or bleeding:
- avoid people who have infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you may be getting an infection, or if you get a fever, chills, cough, hoarse throat, lower back or side pain or find it painful or difficult to urinate.
- be careful when using a toothbrush, toothpick or dental floss. Your doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your doctor before having any dental work.
- be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a razor or nail cutters.
- avoid contact sports or other situations where you may bruise or get injured.
Things you must not do
- give VEPESID to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
- take VEPESID to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
- stop taking VEPESID, or lower the dose, without checking with your doctor.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how VEPESID affects you.
As with other medicines used to treat cancer, VEPESID may cause dizziness, light-headedness, tiredness, changes of vision, or vomiting in some people. Make sure you know how you react to VEPESID before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or light-headed. If this occurs do not drive.
Drinking alcohol
If you drink alcohol, any dizziness or lightheadedness caused by VEPESID may be worse.
Looking after your medicine
- VEPESDID capsules should be stored below 25°C
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight where the temperature stays below 25°C; for example, do not store it:
- in the bathroom or near a sink, or
- in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are having VEPESID.
Like other medicines that treat cancer, VEPESID may have unwanted side effects, some of which may be serious. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor if you have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
| Less serious side effects | What to do |
Gut and digestion-related:
Other:
Skin and hair:
Reproduction:
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Tell your doctor or nurse if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you. |
Serious side effects
| Serious side effects | What to do |
Signs of an allergic reaction such as:
Signs of infections such as:
Signs of unusual bleeding such as:
Signs of liver problems (jaundice or hepatitis) such as:
Other:
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Tell your doctor or nurse straight away if you notice any of these serious side effects. |
Signs of a sudden life-threatening allergic reaction:
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Tell your doctor immediately or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these life-threatening side effects. |
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
The benefits and side effects of VEPESID may take some time to occur. Therefore, even after you have finished your VEPESID treatment you should tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the side effects listed in the information above.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
What VEPESID contains
| Active ingredient (main ingredient) |
etoposide |
| Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) |
citric acid gelatin glycerol macrogol 400 titanium dioxide iron oxide red |
| Potential allergens | contains hydroxybenzoates |
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What VEPESID looks like
VEPESID capsules are pink oblong capsules, in either 50mg or 100mg strengths. VEPESID 50mg capsules are supplied in blister packs of either 10 or 20 capsules (AUST R 10233). VEPESID 100mg capsules are supplied in blister packs of 10 capsules (AUST R 10234).
Who distributes VEPESID
Link Medical Products Pty Ltd.
5 Apollo Street,
Warriewood, NSW, 2102
Ph: 1800 181 060
linkhealthcare.com.au
This leaflet was prepared in July 2022.
Published by MIMS April 2023