Aprepitant is used in combination with other drugs to treat nausea and vomiting that may occur after receiving chemotherapy for cancer in adults and children 6 months of age and older. It is also used in conjunction with other medications to treat adults and kids aged 6 months and older for delayed nausea and vomiting that may happen days after taking some chemotherapy drugs. You cannot cure existing nausea and vomiting with aprepitant. A class of drugs known as antiemetics includes aprepitant. It functions by preventing the effects of neurokinin, a brain chemical that naturally induces nausea and vomiting.

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 chemist 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 chemist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or chemist 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 chemicals in aprepitant capsules or oral solution, let your doctor and chemist know right once. Request a list of the ingredients from your chemist.
• If you are taking pimozide (Orap), avoid using aprepitant. If you are currently on this medicine, your doctor generally won’t advise you to use aprepitant.
• Inform your doctor and chemist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal items, nutritional supplements, and other drugs you are now taking or intend to take. Any of the following should be mentioned: Antifungals like itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox) and ketoconazole; anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); benzodiazepines such as midazolam (Halcion), triazolam (Halcion), diazepam (Valium), and alprazolam (Xanax); cancer chemotherapy drugs such carbamazepine (Equetro, Tegretol, Teril), ifosfamide (Ifex), irinotecan (Camptosar), vinblastine, and vincristine; diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Tiazac); HIV protease medicines such nelfinavir (Viracept) and ritonavir (Norvir); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); nefazodone, oral steroids including dexamethasone and methylprednisolone (Medrol), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), hormonal contraceptives (birth control tablets, patches, rings, and injections); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater) and troleandomycin (TAO; no longer sold in the United States) are two examples. Your doctor might need to adjust your medication doses or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects. Be important to inform your doctor of all the drugs you are taking, even those not on this list, as many other medications may also interact with aprepitant.
• If you have liver illness now or previously, let your doctor know.
• If you are breastfeeding a child or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know. In order to prevent pregnancy while taking aprepitant and for one month after your last dose, if you are taking or receiving hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, or injections) during treatment, you should also use another method of birth control (spermicide, condom). While using aprepitant and after treatment, discuss birth control options with your doctor. Call your doctor right away if you fall pregnant 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 program online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or by phone at 1-800-332-1088 if you have a serious side event.

Keep this medication out of the reach of children and tightly closed in the original container. Keep the capsules at room temperature, away from sources of extreme heat, and dry (not in the bathroom). Use the prepared oral suspension dose within 72 hours of manufacture; discard any doses left over after that time.

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, utilizing a medicine take-back program is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programs in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling agency in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back program, 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 prescription refills should be directed to your chemist.

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.