Preparing for Receiving ETHYOL

How should I prepare for receiving ETHYOL?

Two of the most common side effects with ETHYOL^® include nausea/vomiting and a temporary drop in blood pressure. Therefore, it is important that you drink enough fluids before and after your treatment to help reduce these side effects. If you do not drink enough fluids, your doctor may need to delay your treatment.

Hydration

Twenty-four hours before each ETHYOL treatment, you should drink at least 1 liter of water or clear fluids (nonalcoholic). One liter is about four 8-ounce glasses. Each day of your treatment drink 2 glasses of water or clear fluids 30 minutes before ETHYOL. Your doctor may decide to give you more fluids before ETHYOL.

Having enough fluid in your body helps minimize the side effects of nausea/vomiting and temporary drop in blood pressure. If you are dehydrated, ETHYOL cannot be given.

Antiemetics

Your doctor may prescribe antiemetic medication that is designed to help prevent nausea and vomiting. It is important to take the antiemetic medication as directed.

If you are still having nausea and vomiting after drinking the suggested amount of fluids and taking the medicine your doctor prescribed for you, be sure to talk with your nurse. He or she can tell you about other things that might help manage these side effects.

How often will I receive ETHYOL?

ETHYOL is a prescription medication given as an injection in a physician’s office. To achieve the greatest benefit from ETHYOL treatment, your doctor will probably administer ETHYOL before every radiation therapy session.

It is important to begin your ETHYOL therapy with the first dose of radiation treatment.

Please see important safety information and full Prescribing Information.

Indication

ETHYOL^® is a prescription drug given by injection prior to each postoperative radiation treatment session for head and neck cancer. ETHYOL is used to lower the rate of moderate to severe xerostomia (dry mouth). It is used in patients receiving radiation therapy following surgery for head and neck cancer when the radiation area includes a large part of the parotid glands (the largest of the salivary glands).

ETHYOL is not approved for use in combination with radiation therapy other than as described above.

Important Safety Information

Allergic reactions, including sudden severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue) and severe skin reactions, have been associated with ETHYOL administration. Some severe reactions have been fatal or have required hospitalization and/or stopping ETHYOL. Severe skin reactions can develop weeks after starting ETHYOL treatment. Minor skin reactions have also been commonly reported. Nausea and/or vomiting occur frequently after ETHYOL is given, and may be severe. Your health care team should monitor you carefully before, during, and after ETHYOL therapy.

In a radiotherapy clinical trial of patients with head and neck cancer, the most common side effects reported in patients receiving ETHYOL were nausea/vomiting (53%) and low blood pressure (15%). Other side effects reported during or after ETHYOL therapy were flushing (feeling warm), chills, malaise (general feeling of sickness), fever, rash, dizziness, drowsiness, hiccups, and sneezing.

You should not take ETHYOL if you:

Have low blood pressure
Are dehydrated
Have an allergy to ETHYOL or any of its ingredients

When receiving ETHYOL:

Take antinausea medications if prescribed by your doctor. Medications should be taken when and as directed
Drink plenty of fluids as directed by your doctor
Have your blood pressure monitored by a member of your health care team
Your doctor may monitor your serum calcium levels
Promptly report any skin reactions to your doctor

Tell your doctor about your health history and any other medications you are taking, as these medications may need to be stopped during ETHYOL therapy.

Please see full Prescribing Information for ETHYOL.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

ETHYOL^® is a registered trademark held by MedImmune, LLC, a member of the AstraZeneca group of companies.

This site is intended for US consumers only.

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