Drug Status in USA : Approved Drug Status in Canada : Approved
Indication : Why is this medication prescribed?
It provide protection from haematological, acute and cumulative nonhaematological side-effects associated with cancer chemo-therapeutic agents.
Contraindication: What are the special precautions to be followed?
Under following conditions, use of this medication is inadvisable. Its use should be withhold as it would cause harm to the patient Hypersensitivity to aminothiol compounds, patients with low blood pressure or in dehydration, patients with renal or hepatic impairment Contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation. Contraindicated to paediatrics. Contraindicated to elderly.
Other Precaution to be observed while taking this medication
Patients should be well hydrated and kept supine during amifostine infusion. the dose of amifostine should be administered in 15 minutes. Antiemetics should be adminisstered before and during the infusion of amifostine. Antihypertensive drug should be stopped twenty four hour before the infusion of amifostine.
What are possible side effects of this medication ?
Hypertension. Transient and rapidly reversible loss of consciousness. Nausea, vomiting, flushing or feeling of warmth, chills, dizziness, somnolence, sneezing and hiccups.
Drug Category/Class
Radiation-Protective Agents
Detoxifying Agents for Antineoplastic Treatment
Detoxifying agents for antineoplastic treatment
Prescribed
For reduction in the cumulative renal toxicity in patients with ovarian cancer (using cisplatin) and moderate to severe xerostomia in patients unde...