Ethanolamine Oleate

Ethanolamine Oleate is a prescription medication used for the treatment of patients with esophageal varices that have recently bled, to prevent rebleeding. 

• Ethanolamine Oleate is available under the following different brand names: Ethamolin.

Common side effects of Ethanolamine Oleate include:

• low fever
• trouble swallowing

Serious side effects of Ethanolamine Oleate include:

• cough or hiccups (may be a sign of fluid buildup around the lungs)
• chills
• cough with yellow or green mucus
• stabbing chest pain
• shortness of breath
• severe pain or burning in the upper stomach

Rare side effects of Ethanolamine Oleate include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, coordination loss, unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Injectable solution

• 50 mg/mL

Bleeding esophageal varices

Adult dosage

• 20 mL maximum per session
• Injections may be made at the time of bleeding, then after 1 week, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, healthcare provider, or pharmacist first.

• Ethanolamine Oleate has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs
• Ethanolamine Oleate has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs
• Ethanolamine Oleate has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs
• Ethanolamine Oleate has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, health questions, or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to Ethanolamine Oleate, oleic acid, or ethanolamine
• Not indicated for esophageal varices that have not bled

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Ethanolamine Oleate?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Ethanolamine Oleate?”

Cautions

• Risk of severe esophageal necrosis (potentially fatal)
• Risk of severe aspiration pneumonia (potentially fatal especially in the elderly)
• Caution in hepatic impairment, cardiopulmonary disease, the elderly, and critically ill patients
• Submucosal injections are not recommended
• Extreme anaphylactic reaction may be treated with 0.25 mL of 1:1000 epinephrine IV & side effects controlled by antihistamines; fatal anaphylactic shock reported
• Do not use if the solution has particulate matter or discoloration

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy
• Lactation
  • Excretion in milk unknown; use with caution