Fosaprepitant (Injection)

Introduction

Fosaprepitant (FOS-ap-re-pi-tant)

Used with other medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment (chemotherapy).

Brand Name(s)

Emend

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to fosaprepitant, aprepitant, or polysorbate 80. You should not receive this medicine if you are also using pimozide (Orap®), terfenadine (Seldane®), astemizole (Hismanal®), or cisapride (Propulsid®). Fosaprepitant may cause serious or life-threatening problems if used together with these medicines.

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• This medicine is usually given on the first day of your chemotherapy treatment as part of a three-day regimen along with other medicines. Fosaprepitant is not for long-term use, but you may need to use this medicine again if you have more chemotherapy treatments in the future.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• There are many other medicines that you should not use together with fosaprepitant. These include prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Make sure your doctor knows about all the other medicines that you use.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), tolbutamide (Orinase®), diltiazem (Cartia®, Tiazac®), rifampin (Rifadin®), medicine for seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, Dilantin®, or Tegretol®), a sedative (such as alprazolam, midazolam, triazolam, Halcion®, Versed®, or Xanax®), medicine for depression (such as nefazodone, paroxetine, Paxil®, or Serzone®), medicine to treat fungal infections (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, Nizoral®, or Sporanox®), medicine to treat bacterial infection (such as clarithromycin, troleandomycin, or Biaxin®), or medicines to treat HIV/AIDS (such as nelfinavir, ritonavir, Norvir®, or Viracept®).
• Your doctor might need to change your dose of some other medicines while you are using fosaprepitant. These include drugs often used during chemotherapy, such as irinotecan (Camptosar®), ifosfamide (IFEX®), imatinib (Gleevec®), vinblastine (Velban®), vincristine (Oncovin®), methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone (Decadron®) by mouth.
• Birth control pills may not work while you are using fosaprepitant. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control during your treatment and for one month after your last treatment. Other forms of birth control include condoms, a diaphragm, or contraceptive foam or jelly.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease.
• This medicine is not usually used to treat nausea or vomiting that has already started.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood after using this medicine if you are also taking warfarin (Coumadin®).

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, or muscle cramps.
• Fast or slow heartbeat.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Severe stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation, diarrhea, or upset stomach.
• Hair loss.
• Headache or dizziness.
• Hiccups.
• Loss of appetite.
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.
• Tiredness or weakness.