Ethyol Side Effects
Generic name: amifostine
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 22, 2024.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Ethyol.
Applies to amifostine: intravenous powder for solution Side Effects associated with amifostine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Ethyol.
Applies to amifostine: intravenous powder for solution.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Low blood pressure (hypotension) may occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: blurred vision, confusion, severe dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness, sweating, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Serious skin reactions can occur during treatment or weeks after starting this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills while you are receiving this medicine.
Check with your doctor right away if you have a fever, chills, cough, sore throat, swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, or yellow skin or eyes while using this medicine. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).
This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving this medicine.
This medicine may cause nausea or vomiting in most people, sometimes even after receiving medicines to prevent it. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control these side effects.
This medicine may cause hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood). Check with your doctor if you have stomach cramps, confusion, convulsions, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat, mood or mental changes, muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face, or numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet.
If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine. Some men using this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).
Serious side effects of Ethyol
Along with its needed effects, amifostine (the active ingredient contained in Ethyol) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking amifostine:
More common side effects
- blurred vision
- confusion
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when suddenly getting up from a lying or sitting position
- fainting or loss of consciousness
- fast or irregular breathing
- itching
- nausea, vomiting
- red, scaly, swollen, or peeling areas of the skin
- skin rash
- sweating
- swelling of the eyes or eyelids
- tightness in the chest
- trouble with breathing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare side effects
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- burning or tingling sensation
- chills
- cough
- cracks in the skin
- diarrhea
- fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- fever
- joint or muscle pain
- loss of bladder control
- loss of heat from the body
- muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
- muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
- no blood pressure or pulse
- numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
- red, irritated eyes
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- seizures
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- stomach cramps
- stopping of the heart
- sudden loss of consciousness
- tremor
Incidence not known
- bloody urine
- decreased frequency or amount of urine
- difficulty with swallowing
- hives or welts
- hoarseness
- increased blood pressure
- increased thirst
- lower back or side pain
- loss of appetite
- pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
- slow or irregular breathing
- swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
- weight gain
Other side effects of Ethyol
Some side effects of amifostine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common or rare side effects
- feeling unusually warm or cold
- flushing or redness of the face or neck
- headache
- hiccups
- nervousness
- pounding in the ears
- sleepiness (severe)
- sneezing
Incidence not known
- bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
For healthcare professionals
Applies to amifostine: intravenous powder for injection.
Cardiovascular adverse events
- Very common (10% or more): Hypotension (62%)
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Chest pain, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, exacerbation of preexisting hypertension, tachycardia, bradycardia
- Frequency not reported: Flushing/feeling of warmth, arrhythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation/flutter, supraventricular tachycardia) sometimes associated with hypotension or hypersensitivity[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Very common (10% or more): Nausea (96%), vomiting
- Frequency not reported: Hiccups, diarrhea[Ref]
Other
- Frequency not reported: Chills/feeling of coldness, malaise, pyrexia, somnolence, rigors[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Frequency not reported: Severe hypersensitivity[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Erythema multiforme, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systematic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Toxicoderma, bullous dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis
- Frequency not reported: Rash/erythema, pruritus, urticaria, inflammation, cutaneous eruptions[Ref]
Nervous system
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Seizures, syncope
- Frequency not reported: Dizziness[Ref]
Metabolic
- Common (1% to 10%): Hypocalcemia[Ref]
Local
- Frequency not reported: Injection site pain, injection site bruising, injection site
Swelling, phlebitis[Ref]
Ocular
- Frequency not reported: Diplopia, blurred vision[Ref]
Respiratory
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Dyspnea, apnea, hypoxia, respiratory arrest, laryngeal edema
- Frequency not reported: Sneezing, cough[Ref]
Renal
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Renal failure[Ref]
See also:
Botox
Botox is used for cosmetic purposes and to treat overactive bladder symptoms, urinary incontinence ...
Biotene Moisturizing Mouth Spray
Biotene Moisturizing Mouth Spray is used for mucositis, xerostomia
Orajel Dry Mouth Moisturizing
Orajel Dry Mouth Moisturizing is used for mucositis, xerostomia
References
1. (2001) "Product Information. Ethyol (amifostine)." Alza
More about Ethyol (amifostine)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: antineoplastic detoxifying agents
- En español
Patient resources
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
Further information
Ethyol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.