Medication side effect

Can Amifostine cause vomiting?

Yes — vomiting has been reported as a side effect of Amifostine in FDA adverse-event reports (FAERS) and product labeling. It is among the more frequently reported events for this medication. These are voluntary reports, so they show what's been reported, not how often it happens.

Reported adverse reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: – Hypotension and Cardiovascular Events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] – Severe Cutaneous Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] – Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] – Nausea and Vomiting [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] – Hypocalcemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Most common adverse reactions are hypotension, nausea and vomiting. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Legacy Pharma Inc. at 1-800-727-7151 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. ETHYOL was administered to patients receiving chemotherapeutic agents for advanced ovarian cancer (WR-1 study) or who were receiving standard fractionated radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (WR-38 study) [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . In the WR-38 study of patients with head and neck cancer, 17% (26/150) discontinued ETHYOL due to adverse reactions. All but one of these patients continued to receive radiation treatment until completion. Table 2 summarizes adverse reactions reported in patients from the WR-1 and WR-38 clinical trials. Table 2: Incidence of Common Adverse Reactions in Patients Receiving ETHYOL Ovarian Cancer (WR-1 Trial) 910 mg/m 2 Head and Neck Cancer (WR-38 Trial) 200 mg/m 2 Per Patient Per Infusion Per Patient Per Infusion Nausea/Vomiting ≥Grade 3 36/122 (30%) 53/592 (9%) 12/150 (8%) 13/4314 (<1%) All Grades 117/122 (96%) 520/592 (88%) 80/150 (53%) 233/4314 (5%) Hypotension ≥Grade 3 10/122 (8%) 4/150 (3%) All Grades 75/122 (62%) 159/592 (27%) 22/150 (15%) 46/4314 (1%) Other clinically relevant adverse reactions reported in patients in the WR-1 and WR-38 trials include the following: Infusion-related Reactions: flushing/feeling of warmth, chills/feeling of coldness, malaise, pyrexia, rash, dizziness, somnolence, hiccups, diarrhea, sneezing, diplopia and blurred vision. These effects have not generally precluded the completion of therapy. Injection site reactions (including rash/erythema, pruritus, urticaria, pain, inflammation, bruising and local swelling) were also observed. 6.2 Post-Marketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of ETHYOL. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The following reported post-marketing adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: – Hypotension and Cardiovascular Events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] – Severe Cutaneous Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] – Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Adverse reactions associated with the use of ETHYOL that have been identified in other clinical trials and/or post-marketing reports are described below: Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions including pruritus, urticaria, laryngeal edema, anaphylactic reactions, anaphylactoid reactions. Nervous system disorders: Seizure. Cardiac disorders: Myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, arrhythmias including tachycardia, bradycardia, atrial fibrillation/ flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, extrasystoles. Vascular disorders: Transient hypertension and exacerbations of preexisting hypertension. Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Apnea, dyspnea, hypoxia, respiratory arrest. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Erythema multiforme, dermatitis exfoliative, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis. Renal and urinary disorders: Renal failure. General disorders and administration site conditions: Chest discomfort and chest pain.

Warnings

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS – Hypotension and Cardiovascular Events: Patients who are hypotensive or dehydrated should not receive ETHYOL. If interruption of antihypertensive therapy is possible, interrupt antihypertensive therapy 24 hours prior to ETHYOL administration. Monitor blood pressure during infusion; interrupt and restart infusion if decrease in systolic blood pressure is observed. Do not administer ETHYOL to hypotensive patients who are taking antihypertensive therapy that cannot be stopped for 24 hours prior to ETHYOL administration. ( 5.3 ) – Severe Cutaneous Reactions: Monitor patients prior to, during, and weeks after administration for severe cutaneous reactions. Discontinue for cutaneous reactions or lesions appearing outside of the injection site/radiation port or on the palms or soles. ( 5.4 ) – Hypersensitivity: Discontinue for severe acute allergic reactions. Administer treatment for serious allergic events. ( 5.5 ) – Nausea and Vomiting: Administer antiemetic medication prior to and in conjunction with ETHYOL. Monitor fluid balance when administered with highly emetogenic chemotherapy. ( 5.6 ) – Hypocalcemia: Monitor serum calcium levels in patients at risk of hypocalcemia. If necessary, administer calcium supplements. ( 5.7 ) – Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: ETHYOL can cause fetal harm. Advise patients of the potential risk to a fetus ( 5.8 , 8.1 , 8.3 ). Also, refer to the cisplatin full prescribing information for pregnancy and contraception information. 5.1 Effectiveness of the Chemotherapy Regimen ETHYOL may interfere with the antitumor activity of chemotherapy regimens. Do not use ETHYOL in patients receiving chemotherapy for other malignancies in which chemotherapy can produce a significant survival benefit or cure (e.g., certain malignancies of germ cell origin), except in the context of a clinical study. Limited data are currently available regarding interference with antitumor efficacy when ETHYOL is administered prior to cisplatin therapy in settings other than advanced ovarian cancer. 5.2 Effectiveness of Radiotherapy ETHYOL may interfere with the antitumor activity of the radiotherapy regimens. Do not use ETHYOL in patients receiving definitive radiotherapy, except in the context of a clinical trial, since there are insufficient data to exclude a tumor-protective effect in this setting. ETHYOL was studied with standard fractionated radiotherapy and when ≥75% of both parotid glands were exposed to radiation. The safety and efficacy of ETHYOL on the incidence of xerostomia in the setting of combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and in the setting of accelerated or hyperfractionated therapy, have not been established. 5.3 Hypotension and Cardiovascular Events Severe hypotension with serious sequelae have been reported in clinical studies and post-marketing experience in patients treated with ETHYOL. Severe hypotension events included apnea, dyspnea, hypoxia, chest pain, tachycardia, bradycardia, extrasystoles, supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation/flutter, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, unconsciousness, syncope, seizure, renal failure, and respiratory and cardiac arrest. In the WR-1 study of patients with ovarian cancer dosing ETHYOL at 910 mg/m 2 , transient hypotension was observed in 62% of the patients treated, with 8% of the patients experiencing ≥ Grade 3 hypotension. The mean time of onset was 14 minutes after initiation of the ETHYOL infusion, the mean duration of hypotension was 6 minutes, and blood pressure returned to normal within 15 minutes after the onset of hypotension in most cases. Approximately 3% of patients permanently discontinued ETHYOL due to severe hypotension. In the WR-38 study of patients with head and neck cancer administering ETHYOL at a dose of 200 mg/m 2 prior to radiotherapy, hypotension was observed in 15% of patients treated, with 3% of the patients experiencing ≥ Grade 3 hypotension. Before administration of ETHYOL, verify that patients are not hypotensive or dehydrated. Adequately hydrate patients prior to initiating ETHYOL infusion. Patients receiving ETHYOL at doses recommended for chemotherapy should have antihypertensive therapy interrupted 24 hours preceding administration of ETHYOL. Patients receiving ETHYOL at doses recommended for chemotherapy who are taking antihypertensive therapy that cannot be stopped for 24 hours preceding ETHYOL treatment should avoid treatment with ETHYOL. During and after ETHYOL infusion, closely monitor the blood pressure of patients whose antihypertensive medication has been interrupted since hypertension may be exacerbated by discontinuation of antihypertensive medication or other causes such as intravenous hydration. During ETHYOL infusion, keep patients in a supine position and monitor blood pressure every 5 minutes during the infusion, and thereafter as clinically indicated. For infusion durations less than 5 minutes, blood pressure should be monitored at least before and immediately after the infusion, and thereafter as clinically indicated. It is important that the duration of the 910 mg/m 2 infusion does not exceed 15 minutes, as administration of ETHYOL as a longer infusion is associated with a higher incidence of adverse reactions. If hypotension occurs, place patients in the Trendelenburg position and give an infusion of normal saline using a separate intravenous line. If the blood pressure returns to normal within 5 minutes and the patient is asymptomatic, the infusion may be restarted, so that the full dose of ETHYOL can be administered. Guidelines for interrupting and restarting ETHYOL infusion if a decrease in systolic blood pressure should occur are provided [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . 5.4 Severe Cutaneous Reactions Fatal and severe cutaneous reactions have been reported in clinical studies and post-marketing experience in patients treated with ETHYOL. Severe cutaneous reactions include erythema multiforme, Stevens- Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, toxicoderma, exfoliative dermatitis and drug reaction with biopsy-confirmed eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). These reactions have been reported more frequently when ETHYOL is used as a radioprotectant [see Adverse Reactions (6) ] . Severe cutaneous reactions may develop weeks after initiation of ETHYOL administration. Monitor patients carefully prior to, during, and after ETHYOL administration. Discontinue ETHYOL for cutaneous reactions or mucosal lesions appearing outside of the injection site or radiation port and for erythematous, edematous or bullous lesions on the palms or soles. 5.5 Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported in clinical studies and post-marketing experience with ETHYOL administration. Hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions observed during or after ETHYOL administration have included pyrexia, chills, dyspnea, hypoxia, chest discomfort, cutaneous eruptions, pruritus, urticaria, and laryngeal edema. Epinephrine and other appropriate measures should be available for treatment of serious infusion-related reactions when administering ETHYOL. When severe allergic reactions occur, immediately and permanently discontinue ETHYOL. 5.6 Nausea and Vomiting Nausea and/or vomiting occur frequently after ETHYOL infusion and may be severe. In the WR-1 study of patients with ovarian cancer dosing ETHYOL at 910 mg/m 2 , vomiting was observed in 96% of the patients treated, with severe nausea/vomiting on day 1 of cyclophosphamide-cisplatin chemotherapy in 19% of patients. In the WR-38 study of patients with head and neck cancer administering ETHYOL at a dose of 200 mg/m 2 prior to radiotherapy, vomiting was observed in 53% of patients treated, with severe nausea/vomiting in 8% of patients. Administer antiemetic medication(s) prior to and in conjunction with ETHYOL [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . When ETHYOL is administered with highly emetogenic chemotherapy, closely monitor t

Frequently asked questions

Is vomiting a side effect of Amifostine?

Yes — vomiting has been reported as a side effect of Amifostine in FDA adverse-event reports (FAERS) and/or its labeling. These are voluntary reports, so they show what's been reported, not how often it happens.

How common is vomiting with Amifostine?

vomiting is among the more frequently reported events for Amifostine in FAERS. Reporting volume isn't a true incidence rate — check the prescribing information for documented frequencies.

What should I do if I have vomiting while taking Amifostine?

Don't stop a prescribed medication on your own. Tell your prescriber or pharmacist — they can tell you whether it's expected, whether it needs attention, and what to do next.

Informational only, drawn from FDA adverse-event reporting (FAERS) and labeling — not medical advice, and not proof a medication caused an effect. Talk to your clinician or pharmacist about any side effect.

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