Aprepitant is used together with other medicines to help prevent nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy (cancer treatment) and surgery.
Take Aprepitant exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Aprepitant is available as a capsule and oral suspension.
Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water.
If you are taking the oral suspension, you will get a pre-filled oral dosing dispenser that contains your prescribed dose prepared by your healthcare providers. Make sure you know how to take the dose using this specific dispenser you have been given. If you have problems or do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are taking Aprepitant to prevent nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, it is usually given for 3 consecutive days. Take this medicine 1 hour before your chemotherapy treatment or in the morning (if there is no chemotherapy on days 2 and 3).
If you are taking Aprepitant to prevent nausea and vomiting after an operation, take it 3 hours before your operation.
Aprepitant is usually given for a short period of time only. Do not take it for a longer period of time than instructed by your doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Do not take Aprepitant with certain medicines for mood disorders, colds or allergies, and gastric discomfort. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have moderate to severe liver disease.
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Aprepitant to a child. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects.
While taking this medicine, regular monitoring for signs and symptoms of skin or allergic reactions may be needed.
Aprepitant may cause dizziness and tiredness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, hiccups, constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, stomach wind, abdominal discomfort, and loss of appetite.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Aprepitant with the following medicines:
- pimozide (medicines for mood disorder)
- certain medicines for cold or allergy e.g. astemizole, terfenadine
- cisapride (medicine for gastric discomfort)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus, everolimus, sirolimus
- medicines used for fungal infections e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine
- medicines for anxiety and sleep disorders e.g. midazolam, alprazolam, triazolam
- medicines for migraine e.g. ergotamine, diergotamine
- medicines for inflammation e.g. dexamethasone, methylprednisolone
- certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, troleandomycin
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, acenocoumarol
- strong painkillers e.g. fentanyl, alfentanil
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB, a lung infection known as tuberculosis)
- nefazodone (medicine to treat depression)
- tolbutamide (medicine for diabetes)
- diltiazem (medicine for high blood pressure)
- quinidine (medicine for irregular heartbeat)
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Aprepitant.
Inform your doctor if you are currently taking birth control pills or other types of hormonal birth control as Aprepitant can reduce their effectiveness. You should not stop or start any birth control pills without first informing your doctor. Ask your doctor about using non-hormonal birth control as an alternative while being treated with this medicine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Avoid excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
The oral suspension prepared in a pre-filled oral dosing dispenser must be stored in a refrigerator (between 2-8°C) and be taken within 3 days. When ready to take, you may store this medicine at room temperature (between 20-25°C) for up to 3 hours.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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