The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
The following side effects happened when people received Ethyol (amifostine) with anticancer medications or radiation treatment.
- Nausea or vomiting (up to 96%)
- Low blood pressure (up to 62%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Infusion reactions (e.g., chills, fever, dizziness, blurry vision)
- Injection site reactions (e.g., rash, itching, hives, skin pain, bruising)
Ethyol serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reaction: fever, chills, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, tightness in throat, hives, swelling
- Serious skin reactions: rash with blisters, fever, itchy skin, hives, skin pain, skin peeling, skin or mouth sores
- Serious heart problems: irregular heartbeat, feeling weak, pain in the jaw or back, chest pain
Source: DailyMed
The following Ethyol side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:
More common
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
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
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
burning or tingling sensation
chills
cracks in the skin
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
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
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
stomach cramps
stopping of the heart
sudden loss of consciousness
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
Some side effects 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
Feeling unusually warm or cold
flushing or redness of the face or neck
headache
hiccups
nervousness
pounding in the ears
sleepiness (severe)
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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