Etoposide Oral, Intravenous and Valdecoxib

• Generic Name: etoposide
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: VePesid, Etopophos, Toposar

Etoposide injection (also known as VP-16) is used in combination with other cancer medicines to treat cancer of the testicles and small cell lung cancer. It is also sometimes used to treat some other kinds of cancer in both males and females.

Etoposide belongs to the group of medicines known as antineoplastic agents. The exact way that etoposide acts against cancer is not known. However, it seems to interfere with the growth of the cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by etoposide, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, like hair loss, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used.

Before you begin treatment with etoposide, you and your doctor should talk about the benefits of etoposide as well as the risks of using it.

Etoposide is to be given only by or under the supervision of your doctor.

• Generic Name: valdecoxib
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names:

Valdecoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also called NSAIDs) are used to relieve some symptoms caused by arthritis (rheumatism), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. However, valdecoxib does not cure arthritis and will help you only as long as you continue to take it. It may also be used to treat pain associated with menstrual periods.

Valdecoxib was available only with your doctor's prescription.

Valdecoxib was voluntarily withdrawn from the U.S. market on April 7, 2005 due to safety concerns of increased risk of serious heart problems and skin reactions .