Uses

This medication is used to treat leukemia and certain cancers. Teniposide works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

How to use Teniposide Ampul

This medication is given by slow injection into a vein (over at least 30 to 60 minutes) by a health care professional as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice a week. This medication may cause low blood pressure. Tell your doctor or other health care professional if you feel dizzy. Your injection may need to be stopped or given more slowly.

Dosage is based on your medical condition, body size, and response to treatment. Your doctor will check your blood counts to make sure you can receive your next dose. Be sure to keep all medical/lab appointments.

If this medication accidentally leaks into surrounding tissue, the skin and/or muscle may be severely damaged. Tell your doctor right away if you feel pain or irritation at the injection site.

If this medication touches your skin, immediately wash the area well with soap and water. If this medication gets in your eye, open the eyelids and flush with water, then get medical help right away.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, and pain/redness at the injection site may occur. Nausea and vomiting can be severe. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. Eating several small meals, not eating before treatment, or limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.

Many people using this medication may have serious side effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.

Pain or sores in the mouth and throat may occur. Brush your teeth gently/carefully, avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol, and rinse your mouth often with cool water mixed with baking soda or salt. It may also be best to eat soft, moist foods.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: headache, dizziness/fainting, bloody/black/tarry stool, unusual weakness/tiredness, coughing up blood, severe abdominal pain, slow/shallow/rapid breathing, mental/mood changes (such as confusion, difficulty staying awake).

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: fast/irregular heartbeat, flushing of the face, rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Warnings

This medication may cause certain severe blood and bone marrow problems (low red blood cells/white blood cells/platelets). This can affect your body's ability to stop bleeding or fight infection. Tell your doctor right away if you develop easy bleeding/bruising or signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills).

This medication can also cause a serious allergic reaction. Your health care professional will monitor you closely during treatment for any signs of a reaction. (See also Side Effects section.

Precautions

Before using teniposide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as polyoxyethylated castor oil), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: current infections, certain viral illnesses (herpes, chickenpox), liver problems, kidney problems, blood disorders (such as anemia, clotting problems), Down syndrome, low blood proteins (hypoalbuminemia).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Tell your health care professional that you are using teniposide before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

Teniposide can make you more likely to get infections or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles, flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.

To lower your chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports.

This product contains alcohol. Caution is advised if you have alcohol dependence or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.

This medication can affect fertility in males. Ask your doctor for more details.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using teniposide. Teniposide may harm an unborn baby. Men and women using this medication should ask about reliable forms of birth control during treatment. If you or your partner becomes pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not recommended while using this medication. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose, typhoid/polio vaccine taken by mouth), "blood thinners" (such as warfarin, enoxaparin), salicylates/NSAIDs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, sodium salicylate), drugs that may interact with alcohol (such as disulfiram, metronidazole), methotrexate, sulfonamide antibiotics (such as sulfamethizole).

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using other products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin) that can increase your risk of bleeding. Low-dose aspirin should be continued if prescribed by your doctor for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually 81-162 milligrams a day). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

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Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes Notes

Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count, liver/kidney function) should be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose Missed Dose

It is important to get each dose of this medication as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule.

Storage Storage

Not applicable. This medication is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.