Ethyol

Pronunciation: A-mi-FOS-teen
Generic Name: Amifostine
Brand Name: Ethyol

Ethyol is used for:

Reducing kidney damage due to cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer. It is also used to reduce moderate to severe dry mouth associated with radiation treatment after surgery for head and neck cancer. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Ethyol is a cytoprotective agent. It works by removing certain substances that cause damage to the kidneys. It also reduces some harmful effects of radiation on healthy tissues.

Do NOT use Ethyol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Ethyol or to similar medicines


• you have low blood pressure or you are dehydrated

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Ethyol:

Some medical conditions may interact with Ethyol. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of blood vessel problems, heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeat), stroke or transient ischemic attacks ("mini-strokes"), low blood calcium levels, or kidney problems (eg, nephrotic syndrome)


• if you are taking medicine to treat high blood pressure or you are receiving chemotherapy for other types of cancer

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Ethyol. However, no specific interactions with Ethyol are known at this time.

Ask your health care provider if Ethyol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Ethyol:

Use Ethyol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Ethyol is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Ethyol at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Ethyol. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Patients who take blood pressure medicines may need to avoid taking them within 24 hours before or after using Ethyol. If you take medicine for high blood pressure, ask your doctor how to take it along with Ethyol.


• Do not use Ethyol if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Ethyol, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Ethyol.

Important safety information:

• Ethyol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Ethyol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Ethyol may cause low blood pressure. If you experience dizziness, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, seizures, fainting, or decreased urination, contact your doctor immediately. Patients who take blood pressure medicines may need to avoid taking them within 24 hours before or after using Ethyol. If you take medicine for high blood pressure, ask your doctor how to take it along with Ethyol.


• Severe and sometimes fatal skin reactions have occurred with Ethyol. This reaction may develop even weeks after you start treatment. The risk may be greater in patients who use Ethyol to reduce dry mouth caused by radiation treatment. If you experience severe rash (eg, redness, scaling, swelling, peeling, or blistering of the skin), fever, mouth sores, or red and irritated eyes, contact your doctor right away.


• If you experience nausea or vomiting, talk to your doctor about how to avoid becoming dehydrated. Your doctor may prescribe medicine to help decrease nausea and vomiting that may occur while you are using Ethyol.


• Lab tests, including kidney function, blood calcium and electrolyte levels, and blood pressure, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Ethyol with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Ethyol can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Ethyol while you are pregnant. It is not known if Ethyol is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Ethyol.

Possible side effects of Ethyol:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Drowsiness; feeling of coldness; flushing/feeling of warmth; hiccups; nausea; sneezing; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; chills or shaking; decreased urination; dizziness; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; muscle twitching/cramping; numbness of an arm or leg; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; severe stomach pain; shortness of breath; sores on the lips, mouth, or tongue; sudden, severe headache; unusual fatigue or tiredness; vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Ethyol side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include seizures; severe or persistent dizziness; shortness of breath.

Proper storage of Ethyol:

Ethyol is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Ethyol at home, store Ethyol as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Ethyol, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Ethyol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Ethyol. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Ethyol resources

• Ethyol Side Effects (in more detail)
• Ethyol Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Ethyol Drug Interactions
• Ethyol Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Ethyol - Add your own review/rating

• Ethyol Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Ethyol Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Ethyol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Amifostine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Amifostine Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Ethyol with other medications

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• Ovarian Cancer