What is a potential side effect of Etoposide?

What is a potential side effect of Etoposide?

• A. Severe vomiting
• B. Anaphylaxis
• C. Hair loss
• D. Fluid retention

Answer: (B)

Etoposide is a chemotherapeutic agent used primarily in the treatment of certain types of cancers, including testicular cancer and small cell lung cancer. One of the potential side effects associated with Etoposide is anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. While anaphylaxis is not the most common side effect of Etoposide, it can occur, often characterized by rapid onset of symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, hives, and a drop in blood pressure. Patients receiving Etoposide should be monitored closely for signs of an allergic reaction, especially during the first doses of the drug or after re-exposure. In contrast, while severe vomiting, hair loss, and fluid retention are also recognized side effects of various chemotherapeutic agents, Etoposide is not predominantly associated with these reactions. Nausea and vomiting are more commonly managed with antiemetics, and hair loss can occur with many chemotherapy drugs, but anaphylaxis is a direct and specific reaction indicating an acute immune response to the drug. Understanding the potential severe reactions like anaphylaxis helps in better patient management and emphasizes the importance of monitoring during treatment.

Etoposide is a chemotherapeutic agent used primarily in the treatment of certain types of cancers, including testicular cancer and small cell lung cancer. One of the potential side effects associated with Etoposide is anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. While anaphylaxis is not the most common side effect of Etoposide, it can occur, often characterized by rapid onset of symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, hives, and a drop in blood pressure. Patients receiving Etoposide should be monitored closely for signs of an allergic reaction, especially during the first doses of the drug or after re-exposure.

In contrast, while severe vomiting, hair loss, and fluid retention are also recognized side effects of various chemotherapeutic agents, Etoposide is not predominantly associated with these reactions. Nausea and vomiting are more commonly managed with antiemetics, and hair loss can occur with many chemotherapy drugs, but anaphylaxis is a direct and specific reaction indicating an acute immune response to the drug. Understanding the potential severe reactions like anaphylaxis helps in better patient management and emphasizes the importance of monitoring during treatment.