Details

Amifostine is a chemoprotectant that can help lessen the side effects of certain cancer chemotherapy medications or radiation treatment. Amifostine is used to protect the kidneys from harmful effects caused by cisplatin when given to patients with ovarian cancer. Amifostine is also used to prevent severe dry mouth caused by radiation treatment of the head and neck, which can affect the salivary gland. Amifostine will not prevent all side effects of chemotherapy medications. However, this medication may help protect your body from some of the serious side effects that chemotherapy can cause.

Typical Uses

Amifostine is used to reduce the toxicity to kidneys associated with cisplatin therapy in patients with advanced ovarian cancer, and in prevention of dry mouth (xerostomia) during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching chest tightness, difficult breathing fever or chills, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Some of the side effects of amifostine may occur up to several weeks after you receive this medication. Contact your doctor if you have a serious side effect such as feeling like you might pass out feeling like you might pass out weak or shallow breathing seizure (convulsions) urinating less than usual or not at all severe skin rash on your stomach, back, or trunk redness, rash, or blisters on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet or severe skin reaction-fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Drug Interactions

• Amifostine+acebutolol- If you are currently being treated with acebutolol let your doctor know before you receive amifostine. Combining these medications may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. Depending on your condition, your doctor may want you to discontinue acebutolol for 24 hours before you receive treatment with amifostine, and your blood pressure will need to be monitored closely during and after the treatment.

• Amifostine+aliskiren- If you are currently being treated with aliskiren let your doctor know before you receive amifostine. Combining these medications may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. Depending on your condition, your doctor may want you to discontinue aliskiren for 24 hours before you receive treatment with amifostine, and your blood pressure will need to be monitored closely during and after the treatment.

• Amifostine+benazepril- If you are currently being treated with benazepril let your doctor know before you receive amifostine. Combining these medications may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. Depending on your condition, your doctor may want you to discontinue benazepril for 24 hours before you receive treatment with amifostine, and your blood pressure will need to be monitored closely during and after the treatment.

• Amifostine+candesartan- If you are currently being treated with candesartan let your doctor know before you receive amifostine. Combining these medications may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. Depending on your condition, your doctor may want you to discontinue candesartan for 24 hours before you receive treatment with amifostine, and your blood pressure will need to be monitored closely during and after the treatment.

Mechanism of action

Amifostine is a cytoprotectant. It protects the normal cells against the harmful effects of chemotherapy medications and radiation treatment by producing a chemical ‘thiol’ that binds to and detoxifies the harmful compounds produced by cisplatin. Amifostine does not interfere with the action of cisplatin.

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