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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
In Canada--
Amifostine (am-i-FOS-teen) is used to help prevent or lessen some side effects caused by other medicines or radiation therapy that are used to treat cancer.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form(s):
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For amifostine, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to amifostine.
Pregnancy--Amifostine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, in animal studies, large doses caused toxic or harmful effects in the fetus.
Because amifostine is used together with other medicines that can cause birth defects or other harmful effects in the fetus, it is usually recommended that women being treated for cancer use birth control.
Breast-feeding--It is not known whether amifostine passes into the breast milk. However, because amifostine is used together with other medicines that may cause serious side effects in nursing infants, breast-feeding is generally not recommended during treatment.
Children--Although this medicine has been given to a limited number of children, there is no specific information comparing use of amifostine in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults--Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. Although amifostine has been given to a limited number of elderly people, there is no specific information comparing use of amifostine in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines--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. When you are receiving amifostine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of amifostine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Dosing--The dose of amifostine will be different for different patients. It depends on the patient's size. The medicine will be given by, or under the immediate supervision of, the doctor treating you for cancer.
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.
Tell the doctor or the person giving you the injection right away if you feel dizzy or faint while the injection is being given. Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur later on:
Rare
Burning or tingling sensation; muscle cramps
Other 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. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Nausea and vomiting
Less common or rare
Chills; skin rash; sleepiness (severe); sneezing
Other side effects that sometimes occur are harmless and will go away without treatment. These are:
Less common or rare
Feeling unusually warm or cold; flushing or redness of face or neck; hiccups
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 06/29/1998
Revised: 08/24/2000
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