Amifostine (intravenous route)
Available brands
Ethyol
About this medication
Amifostine is used to help prevent or lessen some of the side effects of cisplatin (a cancer medicine) or radiation therapy on the kidneys and salivary glands. This medicine is to be given only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor. This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before using this medication
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Use of amifostine injection in children is not recommended. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of amifostine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart disease, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose in patients receiving amifostine. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
How to use this medication
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital or cancer treatment center. This medicine is given through a needle placed into one of your veins. Amifostine injection is given before cisplatin therapy or radiation therapy. It must be injected slowly, so your IV tube will need to stay in place for at least 15 minutes before cisplatin treatment or at least 3 minutes before radiation therapy. You may receive other medicines to help prevent nausea and vomiting. You may also be given calcium supplements if needed. Drink plenty of fluids during the 24 hours before receiving amifostine.
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