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Amifostine
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Description
Amifostine is used to protect the kidneys from the side effects associated with the use of chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy. It is also be used for the treatment of abnormal dryness of the mouth (xerostomia) in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Amifostine
Nausea and Vomiting
Low blood pressure
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Blurred vision
Sweating
Skin rash
Chest tightness
Difficulty in breathing
Headache
Uses of Amifostine
What is it prescribed for?
Renal toxicity
This medicine is used to protect the kidneys from the side effects associated with the use of chemotherapeutic agents (cisplatin or alkylating agents) and radiation therapy.
Xerostomia
This medicine is used for the treatment of abnormal dryness of the mouth (xerostomia) in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.Duration of effect
The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit-forming tendencies were reportedUsage in pregnancy?
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine.Usage while breast-feeding?
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to Amifostine, aminothiol compounds, or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Adequate hydration
Patients are advised to ensure adequate hydration due to the increased risk of dehydration. Drink an adequate amount of water or liquids to maintain hydration.
Cutaneous reactions
This medicine may cause serious cutaneous reactions such as skin rash, lesions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema, etc. in some patients. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Hypocalcemia
This medicine may lower the blood calcium levels and hence should be used with extreme caution in patients with hypocalcemia (decreased calcium levels in the blood) due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Use in children
The safety and efficacy of this medicine have not been clinically established in children below 18 years of age.
Driving or operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause dizziness, fatigue, and blurring of vision. Hence, it is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. However, it is advised to contact the doctor if a dose of Amifostine is missed and schedule the dose as soon as possible.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Antihypertensives
Etelcalcetide
Disease interactions
Hypotension
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients who are hypotensive (low blood pressure) or dehydrated, or who are unable to stop antihypertensive therapy 24 hours prior to Amifostine therapy due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of blood pressure levels, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
The medicine binds to the reactive metabolites of cisplatin or alkylating agents and removes the free radicals and protects the kidney from harmful effects. It also increases secretion by the salivary glands.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antineoplastic detoxifying agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Amifostine [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 14 December 2018]. Available from:
Amifostine Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 14 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 14 December 2018]. Available from:
Safety Information | Ethyol (amifostine) for Injection [Internet]. Ethyol.com. 2018 [cited 14 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 8 Apr 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.