Ethyfos 500mg injection contains the active constituent Amifostine. It belongs to the class of medications called adjunct chemoprotective agents. It protects the kidneys from the harmful effects of the chemotherapy drug (cisplatin) in patients that receive this medication to treat ovarian cancer. It is also used to decrease dryness in the mouth caused by radiation treatment after head and neck cancer surgery. It works by protecting against the harmful effects of chemotherapy medications and radiation treatment. Inform your healthcare professional if you have a history of low blood pressure, stroke, seizure or any other complication before initiating the therapy.
Do not take Ethyfos 500mg injection if you are allergic to Amifostine or any of the other ingredients. Inform your physician if you get a red itchy rash and hives in the skin after administration of the injection. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Inform your physician if you have any history or liver disease, kidney disease, heart disorders, heart failure, or heart rhythm changes. The most common adverse reactions are reduced blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting. This medicine may impair fertility; talk with your doctor if you are planning for pregnancy.
Uses of Ethyfos 500mg Injection
Therapeutic Effects of Ethyfos 500mg Injection
The metabolite in Ethyfos 500mg injection is responsible for most cytoprotective and radioprotective effects. It is easily absorbed by cells, where it binds to and detoxifies reactive platinum and alkylating agent metabolites, as well as scavenges free radicals. Other effects include inhibition of cell death, gene expression alteration, and enzyme activity modification.
Interaction of Ethyfos 500mg Injection with other drugs
Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional and vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications interact with Ethyfos 500mg injection and reduce its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects. Especially, Inform your physician if you are taking any medications for heart problems.
More Information about Ethyfos 500mg Injection
How to consume Ethyfos 500mg Injection
Ethyfos 500mg injection will be administered to you by a doctor or other healthcare professional in a hospital setting trained in cancer chemotherapy. Your doctor will decide the dose, route of administration, and duration of the therapy based on your disease status, severity, and other factors such as body weight, other disease conditions, and age. This medicine will be given intravenously (into your vein). Do not self-administer the injection.
Safety Advices for Ethyfos 500mg Injection
Pregnancy
Do not take Ethyfos 500mg injection if you are pregnant because this may harm the unborn baby. Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspecting pregnancy, or planning to get pregnant during the treatment. Use effective contraception during the treatment.
Breast Feeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended in patients taking Ethyfos 500mg injection because the medicine passes into the breast milk in small amounts and may harm your baby. Do not breastfeed during the treatment.
Lungs
It is unknown whether Ethyfos 500mg injection can be used in patients with lung disorders. Consult your doctor if you have any lung diseases before starting the treatment.
Liver
There is limited information available on the use of Ethyfos 500mg injection in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any liver diseases.
Alcohol
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Ethyfos 500mg injection because it may affect the effectiveness of the therapy.
Driving
It is not known whether Ethyfos 500mg injection alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react. Consult your doctor for more advice.
Side Effects of Ethyfos 500mg Injection
Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.
Common
- Skin rash
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Serious
- Decreased blood pressure
- Severe skin rash
- Severe hypersensitivity reaction
Word of Advice
Drink extra fluids during the 24 hours before you receive this medicine. You may be advised to take calcium supplements and other medications to help prevent nausea and vomiting. Do not smoke or consume alcohol while using this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to take certain blood tests during the treatment to monitor any unwanted side effects.
FAQs
Q 1. Can a patient with kidney problems take Ethyfos 500mg injection?
Ethyfos 500mg injection is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of this injection may not be needed in kidney disease patients. Please consult your doctor for more advice.
Q 2. Is hypotension a side effect of Ethyfos 500mg injection?
Low blood pressure (hypotension) may occur with Ethyfos 500mg injection. Report to your doctor immediately if you have any symptoms of blurred vision, confusion, severe dizziness, faintness, lightheadedness, sweating, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Q 3. What if I overdose or take two doses of Ethyfos 500mg injection?
If you unknowingly overdosed or took two doses of Ethyfos 500mg injection, immediately inform your healthcare professional and seek medical advice.
Q 4. What if I miss a dose of Ethyfos 500mg injection?
Do not miss your dose. Keep all your appointments with the dosing regularly. In case if you forget or missed an appointment, inform your healthcare professional and reschedule the dosing.
Q 5. Are there any special dietary instructions I should follow while taking Ethyfos 500mg injection?
Unless your doctor tells you to avoid certain foods, continue your normal diet. Consult your doctor for more advice on dietary restrictions.
Fact Box of Ethyfos 500mg Injection
Molecule name: Amifostine | Therapeutic class: Cytoprotectant |
Pharmacological class: Adjunct Chemoprotective Agents | Indications: 1. Protect the kidneys from the harmful effects of chemotherapy medication. 2. Treatment of dryness in the mouth after head and neck cancer |