Ethyol (amifostine)
The following drug information is obtained from various newswires, published
medical journal articles, and medical conference presentations.
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.
