Uses
Aprepitant is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy) or surgery. It works by blocking one of the body's natural substances (substance P/neurokinin 1) that causes vomiting.
How to use Cinvanti Vial
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 or right before surgery. For preventing nausea and vomiting from 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.
Side Effects
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 this medication has been prescribed because your doctor 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.
Precautions
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).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using this medication. This form of aprepitant contains alcohol, which may harm an unborn baby. Ask about reliable forms of birth control while using this medication and for 1 month after the last dose. 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 breastfeeding.
Interactions
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 elacestrant, 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 nelfinavir), rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin), ritonavir, 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.
Overdose
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.
Keep all regular medical and lab appointments.
It is important to get each dose of this medication as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule.
Not applicable. This medication is given in a hospital or clinic or doctor's office and will not be stored at home.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.