Ethyol

Ethyol is used to help lower the risk of kidney damage from repeated cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

Ethyol is also used to relieve moderate to severe dry mouth in patients undergoing radiation therapy after surgery for head and neck cancer, particularly when the radiation significantly impacts the salivary glands (especially the parotid glands near your ears).

Ethyol will not stop all side effects from chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Ethyol may also be used for other reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.

Ethyol can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure. Your doctor may advise you not to take blood pressure medicine within 24 hours before you get this medicine. Serious skin reactions may occur during treatment or weeks after you receive this medicine. Inform your doctor immediately if you have a rash, skin sores, or sores in your mouth.

You should not be treated with Ethyol if you are allergic to it or similar medicines.

You may not be able to receive Ethyol if you have low blood pressure or are dehydrated.

Tell your doctor if you take blood pressure medicine. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking it for 24 hours before you receive Ethyol.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• low blood pressure;
• high blood pressure;
• low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia);
• heart disease or prior heart attack;
• a stroke (including "mini-stroke"); or
• kidney disease.

It may be harder for you to get a woman pregnant while you are using Ethyol.

Ethyol can harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or become pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

Do not breastfeed during treatment with Ethyol.

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face or throat, or if you experience a severe skin reaction, which may include fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, and a red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling.

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that could affect several parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. This reaction may happen several weeks after you start using Ethyol.

Tell your caregivers immediately if you experience:

• severe or ongoing vomiting;
• feeling light-headed, as if you might faint;
• weak or shallow breathing;
• chest pain, or a fast or slow heart rate;
• a seizure; or
• redness, rash, or blisters on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet.

Common side effects of Ethyol may include:

• nausea, vomiting;
• low blood pressure;
• diarrhea;
• rash, flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling feeling);
• fever, chills, general ill feeling;
• dizziness, drowsiness;
• hiccups, sneezing;
• blurred vision, double vision; or
• pain, itching, redness, bruising, or swelling around the IV needle.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Ethyol is given as an infusion into a vein by a healthcare provider.

Ethyol is usually given 30 minutes before chemotherapy or 15 to 30 minutes before radiation therapy.

You may need to drink extra liquids before you receive Ethyol. Follow your doctor's instructions.

You may be given other medications to prevent nausea or vomiting while you are receiving Ethyol.

You may need to lie down during the infusion. Your blood pressure will be checked before, during, and after your Ethyol infusion.

Your doctor may ask you to take a calcium supplement while you are receiving Ethyol. Take only the amount of calcium your doctor recommends.

Call your doctor for guidance if you miss an appointment for your chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

In a medical setting, an overdose would be treated quickly.

Do not take blood pressure medication within 24 hours before receiving Ethyol unless your doctor tells you to.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position after your Ethyol infusion, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Taking any drugs that can lower your blood pressure may cause serious side effects while you are receiving Ethyol.

Inform your doctor about all your other medications, especially heart or blood pressure medicines, or any other medicines that can lower your blood pressure. Also, let your doctor know about any medicines you begin or stop using.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Ethyol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.