Ethyol (amifostine)
Company: U.S. Bioscience, Alza
Approval Status: Approved June 1999
Treatment for: Oncology
Areas: Endocrinology; Oncology; Otolaryngology
Possible similar drugs: Ethyol
| General Information | Side Effects |
General Information
Ethyol has been approved to reduce xerostomia in patients undergoing post-operative radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, where the radiation port includes a substantial portion of the parotid glands. Xerostomia--a chronic dry mouth condition--is a severe and often irreversible side effect of radiation therapy caused by damage to the salivary glands.
Side Effects
Side effects of Ethyol plus radiation in a Phase III study included nausea and vomiting which were sometimes severe. Side effects also included hypotension, fever, allergic-type skin reactions, dizziness/lightheadedness, fatigue/lethargy, rigors/chills, sneezing, sleepiness/somnolence, and flushing.
The FDA drug information shown here is licensed from Thomson CenterWatch. The information provided here is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or pharmaceutical advice which should be sought from qualified medical and pharmaceutical advisers.
