Aprepitant

Generic name: Aprepitant (oral/injection)
Drug class: NK1 receptor antagonists

Usage of Aprepitant

Aprepitant is used together with other medications to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by chemotherapy.

Aprepitant may also be used in adults to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery.

Aprepitant is not used to treat nausea and vomiting that you already have.

Aprepitant capsules are for use in adults and children who are at least 12 years old. Aprepitant oral suspension (liquid) can be given to adults and children as young as 6 months old.

Aprepitant may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Aprepitant side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your medical caregiver if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, itchy, sweaty, or have a headache, chest tightness, back pain, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face.

Aprepitant may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

worsening of your skin condition, skin peeling or sores;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or

fast or slow heart rate.

Common side effects of aprepitant may include:

stomach pain or discomfort, burping, loss of appetite;

low blood pressure, headache, dizziness;

low blood cell counts;

diarrhea, constipation;

hiccups, cough;

abnormal liver function tests;

dehydration;

urinary tract infection;

pain, weakness, or numbness in your arms or legs; or

feeling weak or tired.

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

Before taking Aprepitant

You should not use aprepitant if you are allergic to it.

Some drugs should not be used with aprepitant. Your treatment plan may change if you also use pimozide.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

to use a blood thinner (or a medicine called warfarin) and you have routine "INR" or prothrombin time tests; or

severe liver disease.

Aprepitant may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using aprepitant.

Aprepitant can make hormonal birth control less effective, including birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings. Use barrier birth control to prevent pregnancy: condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, spermicide, or contraceptive sponge.

Ask your doctor about the best form of birth control while you are using aprepitant.

Keep using the barrier form of birth control for 1 month after your last dose of aprepitant.

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How to use Aprepitant

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Aprepitant injection is injected into a vein by a healthcare provider.

Aprepitant is not for long-term use. Do not use this medicine more often than prescribed.

The first dose of aprepitant is usually given 30 to 60 minutes before chemotherapy or surgery. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Aprepitant oral is taken by mouth with or without food.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

The oral suspension (liquid) will be prepared by a healthcare provider and provided in a prefilled dosing syringe.

Your blood may need to be tested after receiving aprepitant if you also take a blood thinner called warfarin.

Store aprepitant capsules at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store the oral suspension (liquid) in the refrigerator and use it within 72 hours. Do not freeze. The oral suspension (liquid) must be used within 3 hours if you keep it at room temperature.

Warnings

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be used with aprepitant.

What other drugs will affect Aprepitant

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Many drugs can affect aprepitant. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.