Aprepitant is available as a liquid oral suspension that can be taken orally as well as a capsule. During the first few days of your cancer chemotherapy treatment, aprepitant is typically given once daily, with or without meals, to avoid nausea and vomiting brought on by cancer chemotherapy. On days 1, 2, and 3 of your treatment, you will most likely take aprepitant one hour before to your chemotherapy. You will take aprepitant in the morning on days 2 and 3 if you do not receive chemotherapy on those days. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Follow the aprepitant directions precisely. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Two distinct strengths are available for aprepitant capsules. You can be given a prescription from your doctor to take both strengths at various intervals. Be careful to follow your doctor’s instructions and take the appropriate dosage at the appropriate time.

Do not break, chew, or crush the capsules; instead, swallow them whole.

Your healthcare practitioner will make the oral suspension and administer it to you using an oral dispenser. The oral dispenser can be kept at room temperature for up to three hours before use, but it should be kept in the refrigerator until it’s time to take your dose. When you’re ready to use the medication, take the top off the dispenser and put the dispenser in your mouth.

Only preventing nausea and vomiting is how aprepitant functions. If you already experience these symptoms, don’t start taking aprepitant; instead, call your doctor.

Aprepitant is typically only taken for the first three days of the chemotherapy treatment cycles when used to reduce nausea and vomiting brought on by cancer chemotherapy. Aprepitant shouldn’t be taken for any longer than your doctor has prescribed.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking aprepitant,

• If you have an allergy to aprepitant, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in aprepitant capsules or oral solution, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• If you are on pimozide, avoid using aprepitant (Orap). If you are currently on this medicine, your doctor generally won’t advise you to use aprepitant.
• Inform your physician and pharmacist of any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Be certain to bring up any of the following: anticoagulants (also known as “blood thinners”) like warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); antifungals like itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox) and ketoconazole; benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Valium), and triazolam (Halcion); cancer chemotherapy drugs like ifosfamide (Ifex), clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Tiazac); HIV protease inhibitors such nelfinavir (Viracept) and ritonavir (Norvir); irinotecan (Camptosar), vinblastine, and vincristine (Marqibo Kit); carbamazepine (Equetro, Tegretol); nefazodone, oral steroids such dexamethasone and methylprednisolone (Medrol), hormonal birth control (pills, patches, rings, and injections); troleandomycin, rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater), and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) (TAO; no longer available in U.S.). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, including any that do not appear on this list, as many other drugs may also interact with aprepitant.
• If you have liver illness now or ever had it, let your doctor know.
• If you are breastfeeding a child or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Use an additional method of birth control (spermicide, condom) to prevent pregnancy while taking aprepitant and for one month after your last dosage if you are taking or receiving hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, or injections) throughout treatment. Discuss birth control options with your doctor both during and after treatment if you’re using aprepitant. Call your doctor if you conceive while taking a aprepitant.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Side effects are possible with aprepitant. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Gas
• Abdominal pain
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Hiccups
• Reduced appetite
• Headache
• Fever
• Hair fall

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

• Hives
• Rash
• Itching
• Peeling skin or blisters
• Breathing or swallowing challenges

Other negative effects of aprepitant are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. The capsules should be kept at room temperature, away from sources of extreme heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). The dose of prepared oral suspension must be utilised within 72 hours of manufacture; any doses left over beyond that time should be discarded.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose signs could include the following:

• Drowsiness
• Headache

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.