Amifostine
About Amifostine
Amifostine is a protective medicine used to safeguard healthy cells during specific cancer treatments. Its primary medical purpose is to reduce kidney damage caused by chemotherapy and to prevent severe dry mouth in patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. By shielding your healthy tissues, it helps you undergo your necessary cancer treatments with fewer severe complications.
This medicine is not a daily treatment; instead, it is given as an intravenous infusion shortly before each of your scheduled chemotherapy or radiation sessions. Because it is injected directly into a vein, food intake does not affect how it works, but you should drink plenty of water before each session. Staying well-hydrated and avoiding alcohol before your appointments can significantly improve your results and lower the risk of side effects.
Common side effects of this medicine include severe nausea, vomiting, and a temporary drop in blood pressure that can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. While these symptoms are usually manageable under close medical supervision, you must tell your healthcare provider immediately if you experience severe skin rashes, blistering, or signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Talk to your doctor before starting this treatment if you have a history of heart disease, low blood pressure, kidney problems, or dehydration. Do not take this if you are allergic to this medication or any of its ingredients, or if you are severely dehydrated.
This medicine can interact with blood pressure medications, which may cause your blood pressure to drop dangerously low during the infusion. You should also consult your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or elderly, as special precautions are needed to ensure your safety during treatment.
Uses of Amifostine
Medicinal Benefits
Using Amifostine as prescribed helps protect healthy tissues from the side effects of certain cancer treatments. Here are the key benefits you can expect:
- Protects healthy organs: Helps reduce kidney damage caused by cisplatin chemotherapy, lowering the risk of long-term kidney problems.
- Supports uninterrupted cancer treatment: Helps you complete your prescribed cancer treatment with fewer interruptions by reducing treatment-related side effects.
- Preserves salivary gland function: Helps protect the salivary glands during radiation therapy, making it easier to chew, swallow, speak, and taste food while supporting better nutrition and quality of life.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Amifostine will be administered by a doctor or nurse in a healthcare facility.
- Do not self-administer.
Storage
Side Effects of Amifostine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Severe nausea and vomiting during or shortly after the infusion
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint due to low blood pressure
- Feeling unusually hot, warm, or flushed
- Chills or a sudden feeling of cold
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Severe skin reactions, including red, itchy, peeling, or blistering skin
- Fainting, extreme lightheadedness, or a rapid, pounding heartbeat
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing
- Seizures or severe chest tightness
Drug Warnings
- Remain lying down: Stay lying down throughout the entire infusion to help reduce the risk of severe dizziness or fainting.
- Report symptoms immediately: Tell your nurse or doctor straight away if you feel lightheaded during the infusion. Your blood pressure will be checked regularly.
- Discuss blood pressure medicines: If you take medicines for high blood pressure, speak with your doctor, as you may need to stop taking them for 24 hours before your Amifostine infusion.
- Check the solution: Before the infusion, ensure the solution is clear, colourless, and free of visible particles.
- Watch for skin reactions: Contact your doctor immediately if you develop a new rash, redness, or peeling, even if it occurs several weeks after your last treatment.
Drug Interactions
- Blood pressure-lowering medicines (antihypertensives): Taking these medicines with Amifostine can cause a sudden and potentially dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Amifostine interacts with alcohol. Consult your doctor for more information.
Pregnancy
unsafeAmifostine is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may cause embryo-fetal toxicity and harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Amifostine. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving Amifostine. Using effective birth control methods while on treatment is suggested.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAmifostine should not be taken if you are breastfeeding as it passes into breast milk and may harm your infant. Avoid nursing your child while on treatment with this medicine.
Driving
not applicableAmifostine will be administered to hospitalized patients.
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver problems, tell your doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your liver function while on treatment with this medicine.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney diseases, inform your doctor before receiving Amifostine. Tell your doctor if you have little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, or blood in your urine. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
unsafeAmifostine is not recommended for use in children as the safety and efficacy is not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay well hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or broth, during the 24 hours before your infusion.
- Avoid alcohol: Do not consume alcohol for at least 24 hours before treatment, as it may worsen dizziness and low blood pressure.
- Eat light meals: Have small, light meals before your appointment instead of heavy or greasy foods to help reduce nausea.
- Manage changes in taste: Keep sugar-free lozenges, hard sweets, or ice chips nearby to help soothe your mouth and reduce any temporary metallic taste after treatment.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may suggest periodic blood test to monitor the function of the kidney and calcium levels due to the use of Amifostine.
- Using contraceptive pills while using Amifostine to prevent pregnancy is advised.
- Regular blood pressure monitoring is recommended during the treatment course to check for any changes in cardiovascular events.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Ovarian cancer: It is a common type of cancer that occurs when abnormal cells in the ovary begin to multiply out of control and form a tumor. If left untreated, the tumor can spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). This is called metastatic ovarian cancer. Symptoms may include abdominal bloating, pressure, pain, abnormal fullness after eating, difficulty eating, increased urination, and an increased urge to urinate.
FAQs
Amifostine is used to treat ovarian cancer.
Amifostine contains Amifostine, which works by protecting the kidneys in patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The common side effects of Amifostine may include nausea, vomiting, pain at the site of injection, and injection site reactions. Inform your doctor if any of these side effects persist for longer.
It is given as an intravenous infusion (directly into a vein) by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic setting shortly before your chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about the injection process.
No, clinical studies show that Amifostine selectively protects healthy tissues without interfering with the tumor-killing effects of chemotherapy or radiation. Talk to your doctor or oncologist for detailed reassurance.
Your healthcare team will monitor your blood pressure closely. If it drops too low, they will temporarily stop the infusion and give you intravenous fluids until your blood pressure stabilises. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about this side effect.
It is highly recommended to have someone else drive you home. Because this medicine can cause sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or nausea, driving immediately after the infusion may not be safe. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about post-treatment safety.
Drinking plenty of water helps maintain your blood volume, which significantly reduces the risk of experiencing a sudden drop in blood pressure during the infusion. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how much fluid you should drink.
This medicine is generally not recommended during pregnancy unless the potential benefit justifies the risk to the fetus, as its safety in pregnant women is not fully established. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
While mild rashes can happen, severe and potentially life-threatening skin reactions have been reported. You must report any new skin redness, peeling, or itching to your healthcare team immediately. Talk to your doctor if you notice any changes in your skin.
