Fosaprepitant is used with other medications to help
prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy).
Fosaprepitant works by blocking one of the body's natural substances
(substance P/neurokinin 1) that causes vomiting.
This medication will not treat nausea or vomiting that
has already started. Ask your doctor what you should do if you already have
nausea or vomiting.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start using fosaprepitant and each time you get
treatment. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
This medication is given by injection into a vein by a
health care professional as directed by your doctor. The infusion of this
medication is usually finished about 30 minutes before the start of
chemotherapy. Your doctor may also direct you to take a form of this
medication given by mouth (aprepitant) for the next 2 days. Follow your
doctor's instructions carefully. Children's dosage is based on weight and
age. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Severe allergic reactions may happen during the infusion
of this drug and for a short time afterward. Get medical help right away if
you have any symptoms of allergic reactions such as flushing, redness, or
trouble breathing. Your doctor may stop your treatment.
Tell your doctor if you vomit or feel
nauseated.
See also How to Use section.
Tiredness or hiccups may occur. If either of these
effects lasts or gets worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- redness/sores/pain/swelling at or near the injection
site
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before using fosaprepitant, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to aprepitant; or if you have any
other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can
cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for
more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Other medications can affect the removal of
fosaprepitant from your body, which may affect how fosaprepitant works.
Examples include azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole),
diltiazem, macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin),
nefazodone, HIV protease inhibitors (such as nelfinavir), rifamycins (such
as rifampin, rifabutin), ritonavir, St. John's wort, certain anti-seizure
medicines (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others.
Fosaprepitant can both speed up or slow down the removal
of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work.
Examples of affected drugs include flibanserin, lomitapide, pimozide, among
others.
If you take warfarin, this drug may affect how well
warfarin works in your body. Your doctor should test your blood during the
2 weeks after your fosaprepitant treatment to measure how well warfarin is
working.
This medication may decrease the effectiveness of
hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause
pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you should use
reliable backup birth control methods while using this medication and for 1
month after the last dose. Also tell your doctor if you have any new
spotting or breakthrough bleeding, because these may be signs that your
birth control is not working well.
Fosaprepitant is very similar to aprepitant. Do not use
aprepitant while using fosaprepitant.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
It is important to get each dose of this medication as
scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for
a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Not applicable. This medication is given in a clinic and
will not be stored at home.