What is Fosaprepitant?
Fosaprepitant blocks the actions of chemicals in the body that trigger nausea and vomiting.
Fosaprepitant is used together with other medications to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by cancer chemotherapy.
Fosaprepitant is given ahead of time and will not treat nausea or vomiting that you already have.
Fosaprepitant may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Fosaprepitant?
You should not receive fosaprepitant if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide (Orap). These drugs may cause life-threatening interactions when taken together with fosaprepitant.
Before you receive fosaprepitant, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.
Fosaprepitant can make birth control pills less effective, resulting in pregnancy. This effect can last for up to 28 days after your last dose of this medication. Talk to your doctor about the use of a non-hormonal back-up form of birth control (such as condoms, a diaphragm, or spermicides) during treatment with fosaprepitant, and for 1 month afterward.
There are many other medicines that can interact with fosaprepitant. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Fosaprepitant?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to fosaprepitant, aprepitant (oral Emend), or if you are taking any of the following drugs:
- cisapride (Propulsid); or
- pimozide (Orap)
The drugs listed above may cause life-threatening interactions when taken together with fosaprepitant.
Before you receive fosaprepitant, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.
FDA pregnancy category B. Fosaprepitant is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while you are being treated with fosaprepitant.
It is not known whether fosaprepitant passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Fosaprepitant Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Fosaprepitant?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- feeling light-headed, fainting
- slow heart rate
- pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding; or
- pain or burning when you urinate
Less serious side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach pain
- diarrhea or constipation
- loss of appetite
- hiccups
- increased thirst or hot, dry skin
- weakness, dizziness, tired feeling
- headache
- ringing in your ears
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
- sleep problems (insomnia); or
- pain or a hard lump where the medicine was injected
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Fosaprepitant Interactions
What other drugs affect Fosaprepitant?
Fosaprepitant can make birth control pills less effective, resulting in pregnancy. This effect can last for up to 28 days after your last dose of this medication. Talk to your doctor about the use of a non-hormonal back-up form of birth control (such as condoms, a diaphragm, or spermicides) during treatment with fosaprepitant and for at least 1 month after your treatment ends.
Before taking fosaprepitant, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Tiazac)
- tolbutamide (Orinase)
- a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- midazolam (Versed) or similar medicines such as Valium, Xanax, or Tranxene
- an antidepressant such as nefazodone (Serzone) or paroxetine (Paxil)
- an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin) or rifampin (Rifater, Rifamate)
- an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- certain cancer medicines such as etoposide (VePesid), irinotecan (Camptosar), ifosfamide (Ifex), imatinib (Gleevec), paclitaxel (Onxol, Taxol), vinblastine (Velban), or vincristine (Oncovin, Vincasar)
- HIV medicines such as nelfinavir (Viracept), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), or ritonavir (Norvir)
- seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol) or phenytoin (Dilantin); or
- steroid medicine such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) or methylprednisolone (Medapred, Solu-Medrol)
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with fosaprepitant. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Fosaprepitant?
Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are being treated with fosaprepitant.
Fosaprepitant Dosage
How should I take Fosaprepitant?
Fosaprepitant is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a hospital or cancer treatment center. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take at least 15 minutes to complete.
The first dose of fosaprepitant is usually given 30 minutes before your chemotherapy treatment begins.
You may also be given other medicines, including oral Emend (aprepitant capsules), for 3 or 4 days to further help prevent nausea and vomiting.
Fosaprepitant is not for long-term use.
What happens if I overdose on Fosaprepitant?
An overdose of this medication is not likely to occur since it is given by a healthcare professional. However, overdose symptoms may include drowsiness and headache.
What happens if I miss a dose of Fosaprepitant?
Since fosaprepitant injection is given only once on the first day of your chemotherapy treatment, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com