About Ethamolin® (Ethanolamine Oleate) Injection 5%

Background

Cirrhosis of the liver is a leading cause of death in the United States and other countries. Alcohol slowly damages the liver, causing obstruction of venous (portal) blood flow. Restricted blood flow promotes formation of dilated (stretched) veins along the esophagus. Development of varices in the esophageal region and bleeding from these varices often ensues.

Gastrointestinal bleeding accounts for nearly one-third of all deaths in patients with cirrhosis and over 60,000 liver disease patients develop these variceal hemorrhages every year due to obstruction.