Aponvie

Aprepitant is used with other medications to help prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy). It works by blocking one of the body's natural substances (substance P/neurokinin 1) that causes vomiting.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is given by injection into a vein by a health care professional. It is given as directed by your doctor, usually 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy. Your doctor may direct you to also take another form of this medication by mouth for the next 2 days. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor if you vomit or have nausea.

Headache or tiredness may occur. Redness, itching, bruising, and pain at the injection site may also occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using aprepitant, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to fosaprepitant; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as alcohol), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This form of aprepitant contains alcohol, which may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using this form of aprepitant. Ask about reliable forms of birth control while using this medication and for 1 month after stopping treatment. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Not applicable. This medication is given in a hospital or clinic or doctor's office and will not be stored at home.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Aprepitant can both speed up or slow down the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include flibanserin, lomitapide, pimozide, among others.

Other medications can affect the removal of aprepitant from your body, which may affect how aprepitant works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), diltiazem, macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin), nefazodone, HIV protease inhibitors (such as ritonavir, nelfinavir), rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin), St. John's wort, certain anti-seizure medicines (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others.

If you take warfarin, this drug may affect how well warfarin works in your body. Your doctor should test your blood during the 2-week period after you receive aprepitant to see how well warfarin is working.

This medication may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause pregnancy. Ask your doctor about reliable backup birth control during treatment and for 1 month after receiving aprepitant. Also tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, because these may be signs that your birth control is not working well.

Aprepitant is very similar to fosaprepitant. Do not use fosaprepitant while using aprepitant.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist right away to establish a new dosing schedule.

Keep all regular medical and lab appointments.