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 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.