Amifostine

Advance Directives, prophylaxis of renal toxicity, Xerostomia + 4 more

Treatment

7 FDA approvals

1 Active Study for Amifostine

What is Amifostine

Amifostine

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

A phosphorothioate is a type of drug that is proposed to protect people from radiation. It works by causing the spleen to widen and blocking the autonomic ganglia, which are nerve pathways that control many automatic body functions.

Ethyol

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Amifostine Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Ethyol

Amifostine

1995

6

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Amifostine, also known as Ethyol, is approved by the FDA for 7 uses like prophylaxis of renal toxicity and Advance Directives .

prophylaxis of renal toxicity

Advance Directives

prophylaxis of Xerostomia

Malignant Neoplasms

Nephrotoxicity

Xerostomia

Xerostomia

Effectiveness

How Amifostine Affects Patients

Amifostine is a drug used to help protect the kidneys from the side effects of chemotherapy medication and to reduce the risk of dry mouth in those undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. It works by being converted into an active form that can better protect healthy cells from damage caused by these treatments. It also concentrates more in healthy cells than in cancer cells, providing further protection.

How Amifostine works in the body

Amifostine has protective properties that help cells. It is taken up by cells to bind to and block chemicals that are toxic or cause harm. It also works to reduce the amount of free radicals in cells, as well as stop cell death and change gene expression.

When to interrupt dosage

The amount of Amifostine is contingent upon the diagnosed situation, including Nephrotoxicity, Dry Mouth and Proctitis. The dosage also deviates depending on the technique of delivery documented in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Advance Directives

50.0 mg/mL, , 500.0 mg

, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution

Malignant Neoplasms

50.0 mg/mL, , 500.0 mg

, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution

Nephrotoxicity

50.0 mg/mL, , 500.0 mg

, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution

Xerostomia

50.0 mg/mL, , 500.0 mg

, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution

prophylaxis of renal toxicity

50.0 mg/mL, , 500.0 mg

, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution

Xerostomia

50.0 mg/mL, , 500.0 mg

, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution

Proctitis

50.0 mg/mL, , 500.0 mg

, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution

Warnings

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Amifostine.

Common Amifostine Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Amyl Nitrite

Minor

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Amifostine is combined with Amyl Nitrite.

Arotinolol

Minor

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Amifostine is combined with Arotinolol.

Arsenic trioxide

Minor

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Amifostine is combined with Arsenic trioxide.

Barnidipine

Minor

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Amifostine is combined with Barnidipine.

Bromocriptine

Minor

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Amifostine is combined with Bromocriptine.

Amifostine Toxicity & Overdose Risk

The lowest toxic dose of this drug in rats is 826mg/kg.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Amifostine Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Amifostine?

Two ongoing studies are assessing the potential of Amifostine to reduce symptoms of Malignant Neoplasms, Dry Mouth and mitigate renal toxicity prophylaxis.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

prophylaxis of renal toxicity

0 Actively Recruiting

Advance Directives

0 Actively Recruiting

Malignant Neoplasms

0 Actively Recruiting

Xerostomia

0 Actively Recruiting

Proctitis

0 Actively Recruiting

Nephrotoxicity

1 Actively Recruiting

Phase 3

Xerostomia

0 Actively Recruiting

Amifostine Reviews: What are patients saying about Amifostine?

1.7

Patient Review

1/7/2008

Amifostine for Prevent Decreased White Blood Cell Count from Cancer Chemotherapy

image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about amifostine

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

When do you give amifostine?

"Amifostine is injected into a vein before radiation or chemotherapy starts. Blood pressure is monitored frequently during the treatment. Patients may be asked to drink more fluids than usual for 24 hours before the infusion."

Answered by AI

What is amifostine used for?

"Amifostine is given to patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy for ovarian cancer to prevent kidney damage, and to those undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer to decrease mouth dryness."

Answered by AI

What class of drug is Amifostine?

"Organophosphates are a class of chemicals that contain phosphorus. Many organophosphates are used as pesticides or oil additives, while some have medical applications. The general chemical formula for an organophosphate is (RO)₃PS, [(RO)₂PO]⁻, R(RO)₂PS, etc."

Answered by AI

Is amifostine still used?

"Amifostine was approved by the FDA for reducing xerostomia in patients receiving postoperative head and neck radiation therapy, and it is still the only radiation protector that is FDA approved for clinical use."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Amifostine