Going through cancer treatment is tough on your body and your mind. One of the hardest parts of chemotherapy is dealing with constant nausea and vomiting.
Feeling sick all the time can make it hard to eat, sleep, and stay strong. Fortunately, modern medicine gives us powerful tools to help control these uncomfortable side effects.
A special medicine called Aprepitant can stop those sick feelings before they even start. Let us look at how this medicine works and what you need to know before taking it.
Key Takeaways
- Aprepitant helps prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy treatments.
- You usually take the first dose one hour before your chemotherapy session begins.
- It can make hormonal birth control less effective, so use a backup method.
- Always tell your doctor about every medicine, vitamin, and supplement you take.
- Never take a double dose if you miss one. Ask your care team what to do.
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What Is Aprepitant?
Simply put, Aprepitant is a medicine that blocks certain signals in your body that trigger nausea and throwing up. Doctors call medicines like this antiemetics.
It is mainly used to prevent nausea and vomiting before they start during cancer treatment. Think of it as a shield that stops sick feelings rather than a quick fix after nausea begins.
In many pharmacies and hospitals, you might see this medicine sold under the brand name Emend. Your doctor will decide if this specific option fits your treatment plan.
Things to Tell Your Doctor Before Taking This Medicine
Before you start taking Aprepitant, your medical team needs to check your health history. Sharing these details keeps you safe and helps prevent dangerous reactions.
| Health Condition | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Liver disease | Your liver clears this medicine from your body. If your liver is weak, your doctor may need to adjust your dose. |
| Allergies | Tell your doctor if you ever had an allergic reaction to Aprepitant, Fosaprepitant, or any other foods and drugs. |
| Pregnancy | Researchers do not yet have complete data on how this drug affects pregnancy. Discuss family planning with your doctor. |
| Breastfeeding | We need to check if the medicine passes into breast milk and affects your nursing baby. |
How to Use This Medicine Correctly
Taking this medicine properly is very important for managing your symptoms. Follow your doctor's exact instructions every single time.
- Aprepitant comes in capsule form. Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water.
- You usually take your first dose about one hour before your chemotherapy session starts.
- On the next two days following chemotherapy, you will take one dose each morning.
- You can take this medicine with food or on an empty stomach. Both ways are fine.
- Always take the exact dose your doctor prescribed and never take extra capsules.
Can Young Children Take This Medicine?
Doctors can sometimes prescribe this medicine for children older than 12 years in special cases. Your pediatrician or oncologist will make that important safety call.
Always follow pediatric dosing instructions carefully if your teenage child receives this prescription. Never give adult medicines to children without medical approval.
What to Do If You Take Too Much
If you think you swallowed too many capsules by mistake, you must act quickly. Call your local emergency services or poison control center right away.
In the US, call 911 or poison control at 1-800-222-1222. In the UK, call 999 or NHS 111. Treat an accidental overdose as a medical emergency.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose
If you forget to take your scheduled capsule, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one entirely.
Just return to your normal schedule with the next scheduled pill. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Medicines to Avoid or Handle Carefully
Aprepitant can interact with many other drugs and change how they work. Tell your doctor about every prescription drug, over-the-counter medicine, vitamin, and herbal product you use.
Do Not Take These Medicines With Aprepitant:
- Cisapride .
- Flibanserin .
- Lomitapide .
- Pimozide .
Use Extra Caution If You Combine Aprepitant With:
- Heart and blood pressure medicines such as Diltiazem or Ranolazine.
- Hormonal treatments like birth control pills or patches.
- Antifungal treatments such as Ketoconazole or Itraconazole.
- HIV medicines and antiviral therapies.
- Seizure medicines like Carbamazepine or Phenytoin.
- Calming medicines or sleep aids such as Alprazolam, Diazepam, or Midazolam.
- Certain antibiotics like Clarithromycin or Erythromycin.
- Steroid medicines including Dexamethasone or Methylprednisolone.
- Blood thinners such as Warfarin.
- Specific cancer treatments like Etoposide, Vinblastine, or Vincristine.
This list is not complete. Always show your doctor a full list of your current medicines.
Things to Watch Out For While Taking the Medicine
Important Warning: If you use birth control pills or other hormonal methods like patches or rings, Aprepitant can make them less reliable. Use a dependable backup birth control method, such as condoms, while taking this drug and for one month after your last dose.
- Do not take this medicine if you already feel sick and are vomiting. Ask your care team what quick rescue medicine to use instead.
- Doctors do not prescribe this medicine for continuous long-term daily use over many months.
- Keep all your follow-up medical appointments so your doctor can run blood tests to check your liver function.
Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, Aprepitant can cause side effects in some people, though not everyone experiences them. Most mild side effects go away on their own.
| Side Effect Type | What You Should Experience or Do |
|---|---|
| Serious Allergic Reactions (Call ER) | Rash, hives, itching, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, and throat. Seek emergency care right away. |
| Common Mild Side Effects | Dizziness, mild diarrhea, headache, hiccups, unusual tiredness, or mild stomach upset. Tell your doctor if these linger. |
If you notice any strange symptoms not listed here, report them to your doctor right away.
How to Store Your Medicine Safely
- Keep your medicine safely locked away where young children and pets cannot reach it.
- Store your capsules at normal room temperature between 20°C and 25°C (68°F to 77°F).
- Protect the capsules from high heat, bright sunlight, and damp bathroom moisture.
- Safely discard any expired medicines through local pharmacy drug take-back programs.
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