Home › Chemotherapy › Etoposide (Etosid, Fytosid) — What to Expect From This Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy by name

Etoposide (Etosid, Fytosid) What to Expect From This Chemotherapy

Medically reviewed by Dr. Owais Mohammed, Medical Oncologist · Last reviewed September 2026

Etoposide is a chemotherapy used in lung cancer, germ cell tumour, and lymphoma protocols. It can be given as an IV drip in hospital or as a capsule taken at home. Its main effects are on the bone marrow, the hair, and the gut lining.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Owais Mohammed, Medical Oncologist · Last reviewed September 2026

Prescription-only medicine.

Etoposide is a prescription-only chemotherapy given under direct specialist supervision in a hospital or day-care setting. Nothing on this page can be used to start, stop, or change your treatment. It is not suitable for everyone — see who this is not for below.

Talk to an oncologist

Leave your details and a member of the oncology team will call you back to answer questions about your treatment plan.

No charge for the call, and no obligation to book anything.

412Chemotherapy pages, written and reviewed

17Oncologists on the panel

10Centres across Hyderabad

41Locations across two states

In short

Etoposide is a chemotherapy that blocks an enzyme cancer cells need to copy their DNA, stopping them dividing. It is given as an IV drip in hospital or as a capsule taken at home. Its main effects include bone marrow suppression, hair loss, nausea, and mouth sores. Both brand names in India — Etosid and Fytosid — contain the same active molecule.

In detail

What is etoposide and how does it work?

Etoposide belongs to a group of chemotherapy drugs called topoisomerase II inhibitors. It works by blocking an enzyme that cancer cells depend on to copy and repair their DNA. Without that enzyme, the cells cannot divide and die off.

In India it is available under the brand names Etosid and Fytosid. Both contain the same active molecule. It is used in protocols for small cell lung cancer, germ cell tumours, lymphomas, and a number of other cancers where your oncologist has determined it is appropriate.

It does not distinguish between cancer cells and other cells that divide quickly — which is why it also affects the bone marrow, hair follicles, and gut lining.

In detail

What side effects does etoposide cause?

The most significant effect is on the bone marrow. Etoposide reduces the number of white blood cells, platelets, and sometimes red blood cells your marrow produces. Fewer white cells means higher infection risk. Fewer platelets increases the chance of bruising or bleeding that is slow to stop.

Hair loss is common and usually begins a few weeks after starting treatment. For most people it is temporary — hair regrows after treatment ends, sometimes with a slight change in texture.

Nausea and mouth sores occur in a proportion of patients. Your team will prescribe anti-nausea medicine before treatment starts and advise on mouth care to reduce the chance of sores developing.

During an IV infusion, blood pressure can fall. Your nursing team monitors you throughout the session and will ask you to report anything unusual — flushing, breathlessness, or a feeling of tightness.

Step by step

What happens at each etoposide treatment session?

Blood test before each cycle

Your team checks your blood counts and organ function before every treatment. If counts are too low, the session may be deferred until they recover.

Pre-medications

Anti-nausea medicines, and sometimes other pre-medications, are given before etoposide starts to reduce the chance of side effects during the infusion.

Treatment — IV drip or capsule

The IV form is given as a slow drip over a period your team will specify. The oral form is a capsule taken at home, usually over several consecutive days in the cycle.

Monitoring during infusion

A nurse checks your blood pressure and watches for any reaction throughout the IV session. Tell them straight away if you feel flushed, short of breath, or unwell.

Blood tests during the cycle

Tests at fixed points between sessions track your counts when they are at their lowest. These results guide whether your next cycle goes ahead as planned or needs adjusting.

Eligibility

Who etoposide is not suitable for

Etoposide is not appropriate for everyone. Your oncologist decides whether it can be given based on your individual circumstances, blood results, and treatment history.

Pregnancy: Etoposide is known to harm a developing baby and is not given during pregnancy. Effective contraception is required throughout treatment and for a defined period after it ends.
Breastfeeding: It is not given to people who are breastfeeding.
Very low blood counts: It cannot be given safely when bone marrow function is already severely suppressed, because it reduces counts further.
Severely impaired liver or kidney function: These organs clear etoposide from the body, and serious impairment changes how the drug behaves.
Prior severe allergic reaction: It is not given to people who have had a serious hypersensitivity reaction to etoposide or to components of its formulation.

Want to talk this through with an oncologist?

Leave your number and an oncology coordinator will call you back at a time that suits you.

At a glance

What do the medical terms on your treatment notes mean?

Topoisomerase II inhibitorThe drug class etoposide belongs to. It works by blocking an enzyme cancer cells need to replicate their DNA.

MyelosuppressionReduced bone marrow activity that leads to lower blood counts. It is an expected and monitored effect of etoposide.

NeutropeniaA low level of neutrophils — the white blood cells most important for fighting bacterial infection. This is when infection risk is highest.

NadirThe point in the treatment cycle when blood counts are at their lowest. Your team will tell you roughly when to expect it and what to watch for.

ProtocolThe specific combination, timing, and schedule of drugs your oncologist has chosen. Etoposide usually forms one part of a multi-drug protocol.

Worth knowing

Did you know?

Etoposide is included on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines — the list of drugs considered the minimum necessary for a functioning health system.

That listing reflects how established its role has become across several cancer types and treatment protocols worldwide.

Source: WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 23rd edition (2023)

Question by question

What else do people ask about etoposide?

Can I take the capsules at home without extra supervision?

Oral etoposide is designed for home use over a set number of consecutive days in your cycle. Your team will explain exactly when to take each dose, what to do if you vomit shortly after swallowing one, how to handle and store the capsules safely — they are cytotoxic, so specific guidance is given — and which symptoms mean you need to call in rather than continue taking them.

Will I lose all my hair?

Significant hair loss is common with etoposide. For most people it is temporary — hair begins to regrow after treatment ends, though the texture or colour may be slightly different at first. The degree varies between people and protocols. Scalp cooling is not always suitable during chemotherapy, and your team can tell you whether it is an option in your specific situation.

What should I do if I get a fever during treatment?

Any fever during chemotherapy — particularly in the days when your white cell count is at its lowest — needs to be treated as a possible sign of serious infection and assessed the same day. Do not take paracetamol first and wait to see if it settles, because that can mask the temperature and delay treatment. Call your oncology team immediately or go straight to the hospital and tell them you are on chemotherapy.

Can etoposide interact with my other medicines or supplements?

Yes, and this matters. Etoposide is processed by the liver, and some medicines — including anticonvulsants, antifungals, and certain herbal and ayurvedic preparations — can change how quickly that happens, altering how much active drug is in your body at any point. Tell your oncology team about everything you are taking before you start: prescription medicines, over-the-counter tablets, vitamins, herbal remedies, and traditional preparations.

Is there a risk of developing a second cancer from etoposide?

Long-term use of topoisomerase II inhibitors carries a recognised, small risk of a secondary blood cancer — typically acute myeloid leukaemia — appearing years after treatment. Your oncologist will have weighed this known risk against the benefit of using etoposide in your protocol. It is a legitimate concern to raise, and your oncologist can explain how it was considered in your specific case.

Still have a question about your treatment? Tell us what is on your chart and an oncologist will explain what it means for you, what to expect and what your schedule is likely to look like.

Talk to an oncologist 1800 202 8726

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

How is etoposide different from other chemotherapy drugs?

Etoposide works by blocking a specific enzyme — topoisomerase II — that cancer cells need to copy their DNA. Many other chemotherapy drugs interfere with different steps in cell division. For you, the practical difference is mainly in its side-effect pattern: bone marrow suppression and hair loss are prominent features, and the oral option for home use is less common with chemotherapy than with some other treatments. Your oncologist chose it because it is part of an established, evidence-based protocol for your cancer type.

How will I know if my blood counts are dangerously low?

Often you cannot tell from symptoms alone — which is exactly why the blood tests at set points in your cycle are not optional. They detect a falling count before you feel it. Warning signs that counts are already very low include unexplained bruising, bleeding that is slow to stop, extreme and sudden fatigue, or feeling suddenly unwell with a fever. Any of these during your treatment cycle needs a same-day call to your team, not a wait-and-see approach.

Can I eat and drink normally while on etoposide?

For the most part, yes. If nausea is a problem in the days after treatment, your team will prescribe medicine to manage it. Mouth sores, if they develop, can make eating uncomfortable — your team can advise on mouth rinses and foods that are easier to manage. There is no prescribed diet, but your team may specifically ask you to avoid grapefruit, which affects how some drugs are processed by the liver. Ask your team directly about any food or drink you are uncertain about.

Is etoposide given alone or with other drugs?

In most protocols it is combined with other chemotherapy drugs or treatments. The specific combination depends on your cancer type and stage. In small cell lung cancer it is commonly paired with a platinum agent; in germ cell tumours it is part of multi-drug regimens. Your oncologist will explain which other agents are in your protocol and why etoposide was included. Asking for the protocol name — so you can recognise it in future correspondence — is entirely reasonable.

How long does a course of etoposide last?

This varies considerably by protocol and cancer type. Some protocols use etoposide over three to five consecutive days in a cycle that repeats every few weeks; others use a different schedule. Your oncologist will tell you the specific plan — how many cycles are intended, the length of each, and how response will be assessed along the way. The plan may be adjusted based on how you tolerate treatment and how well it is working. Ask for the expected total duration at the start so you can plan around it.

Should I tell other doctors and practitioners I am on etoposide?

Yes, always — every doctor, dentist, pharmacist, and traditional medicine practitioner you see. Etoposide affects your immune system and interacts with some medicines, which has implications for any procedure or other treatment you might need. It is especially important before any dental work, because low platelet counts affect bleeding risk. Carrying a written record of your current chemotherapy regimen is the safest approach, and your oncology team can provide one if you do not already have it.

Who would be treating you

The medical oncologists on the CION panel

Chemotherapy is prescribed, dosed and supervised by a medical oncologist. These are the six on the CION panel.

Dr. Naresh Gundu

Medical Oncologist

MBBS · DNB Internal Medicine (Sir Gangaram, New Delhi) · DM Medical Oncology (AIIMS)

Call Book appointment

Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy

Medical Oncologist

MBBS (Gold Medal) · DNB · DM (Medical Oncology, Gold Medal) · Kukatpally

Call Book appointment

Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla

Medical Oncologist

MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK)

Call Book appointment

Dr. Owais Mohammed

Medical Oncologist

Call Book appointment

Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy

Medical Oncologist

MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · L.B. Nagar

Call Book appointment

Dr. N. Kiranmayee

Medical Oncologist

Call Book appointment

Which oncologist you see depends on the centre nearest you and on what your treatment involves. Tell us where you are and we will point you to the closest.

Talk it through

Reading about a medicine is not the same as being told what to expect

This page explains what the medicine does in general. What it cannot tell you is how your own regimen was chosen, what your schedule looks like, or which of these effects apply to you — that needs your reports and a conversation.

Free first consultation Second opinion on an existing plan 10 centres across Hyderabad

Speak to an oncologist

Share your details and the team will call you back to arrange a consultation or a second opinion.

Bring your reports if you have them. If you do not, come anyway.

list of links to other editorial pages, which base contract s2.1 permits explicitly. It contains no form, no phone number and no CTA button, so it does not turn this page into an advertisement. Generated by scripts/hub_update.py --include-out. -->

Full index