We all know that cancer treatment, or 'chemotherapy' as we call it, is not an easy thing to do. It is a big challenge for the body as well as the mind. One of the main and most annoying discomforts that comes with this treatment is nausea and vomiting. So today we are going to talk about a special medicine that can prevent this discomfort before it even occurs. That is Rolapitant .
What kind of medicine is Rolapitant?
Simply put, Rolapitant is a medicine that is given to prevent nausea and vomiting that may occur during chemotherapy. It blocks some of the signals that cause nausea and vomiting in our body from reaching the brain. We call these types of medicines ``antiemetics``.
This medicine is available in Sri Lanka under the brand name `Varubi`. However, it can be used for other purposes as well, so if you have any questions, ask your doctor.
Remember, this is not a medicine to take when you already have nausea. It is given to prevent nausea from occurring .
Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication
Before giving you Rolapitant tablets, your doctor will want to know your complete health history. Be sure to tell them about these things in particular.
- If you have any liver disease .
- If you have previously had an allergic reaction to Rolapitant or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medicine is suitable for you or not.
How should I use the medicine?
The way you use this medicine is very important.
- You should take this pill with a glass of water .
- Usually, you should drink this about an hour before your chemo treatment starts .
- It doesn't matter if you take it before or after meals.
- Use only as directed by your doctor, in the amount prescribed . Never take more than the prescribed dose.
Special care should be taken when giving this medicine to children, so talk to your doctor about it.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
What if I miss a dose?
If you forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you remember. But do not take two or more doses at once.
Other drugs that may interact with Rolapitant (Drug Interactions)
Rolapitant is a medication that can interact with other medications, so it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
| Do not take Rolapitant with this medicine. | |
|---|---|
| Pimozide | Thioridazine |
| Problems can also occur with these medications (inform your doctor). | |
| Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease | Some medications for mental illness and depression |
| Medicines for seizures (e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin) | Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. warfarin, dabigatran) |
| Rifampin, Rifapentine | Methotrexate, Irinotecan, Topotecan (cancer drugs) |
| Apalutamide, Enzalutamide | Cyclosporine, Sirolimus, Digoxin |
| Rosuvastatin (a cholesterol drug) | Dextromethorphan (a cough medicine) |
| Opioid painkillers | Many more medicines... |
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take, if you smoke, or if you drink alcohol.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Rolapitant can cause some side effects. Some of them can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them.
| Side effect | What to do? |
|---|---|
| Things to report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions - Skin irritation, itching - Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat (may cause difficulty breathing) | Seek medical advice immediately. This may be an emergency. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache/dizziness | If these persist or bother you, tell your doctor at your next clinic appointment. |
| Hiccups | |
| Loss of appetite | |
| Stomach ache or discomfort | |
If you experience any other discomfort not mentioned in this list, talk to your doctor about it as well.
How do you store and dispose of the medicine?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Never use expired medications . Dispose of them properly. Consult your doctor for the correct method of disposal.
Take-Home Message
- Rolapitant is a medicine given to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, not to treat them once they occur.
- Always take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, usually one hour before your chemotherapy treatment.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
- If you experience allergic symptoms such as facial swelling and skin rashes, seek medical advice immediately.
- Never share your prescribed medication with others.
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