Teniposide can cause a decrease in the number of blood cells in your bone marrow. Your doctor will order tests before, during, and after your treatment to see if your blood cells are affected by this drug.
Your doctor has ordered the drug teniposide to help treat your illness. The drug is given by injection into a vein.
childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Teniposide is in a class of drugs known as podophyllotoxin derivatives; it slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.
nausea and vomiting
diarrhea
thinned or brittle hair
fatigue
mouth blistering
unusual bruising or bleeding
dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling of faintness
pain at the injection site
persistent diarrhea or any change in normal bowel habits for more than 2 days
fever
chills
sore throat
shortness of breath
breathing discomfort
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Last Reviewed - 09/01/2010
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.