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Amifostine‐Induced Fever: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Author(s) -
Boehme Sabrina,
Wilson David B.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.24.1.155.34799
Subject(s) - amifostine , medicine , rash , adverse effect , concomitant , head and neck cancer , neutropenia , mucositis , radiation therapy , surgery , chemotherapy
Amifostine, also known as WR‐2721 (S‐2‐(3‐aminopropylamino)‐ethylphosphorothioic acid), is an organic thiophosphate cytoprotective agent used to reduce the frequency of severe xerostomia in patients with cancer undergoing postoperative radiation of the head and neck. A 56‐year‐old Caucasian man who received concomitant chemotherapy and radiation for head and neck cancer developed fever concurrent with the administration of amifostine. To our knowledge, this is the first case report that demonstrates the occurrence of fever with low‐dose amifostine therapy without the manifestation of accompanying rash or hypotension. Patients receiving amifostine who develop only fever should be evaluated for an adverse drug reaction, as well as for sepsis and fevers of neutropenia, and it may be necessary to discontinue the drug. Recognition of amifostine as the cause of this adverse event may prevent the cost and inconvenience of a hospital admission.