What is the most important information I should know about fosaprepitant?
You should not use fosaprepitant if you also take pimozide. Using these drugs together can cause unwanted or dangerous effects.
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 chemotherapy.
Fosaprepitant is given ahead of time and will not treat nausea or vomiting that you already have.
Fosaprepitant may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving fosaprepitant?
You should not be treated with fosaprepitant if you are allergic to it, or if you take another medicine called pimozide (Orap). Fosaprepitant can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with pimozide.
To make sure fosaprepitant is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
Fosaprepitant can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy for at least 1 month after each dose of this medicine.
It is not known whether fosaprepitant passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
How is fosaprepitant given?
Fosaprepitant is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
The first dose of fosaprepitant is usually given 30 minutes before your chemotherapy treatment begins.
You may also be given other medicines, including aprepitant capsules (Emend), to further help prevent nausea and vomiting.
Fosaprepitant is not for long-term use.
If you also take warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), you may need extra "INR" or prothrombin time tests after you have received fosaprepitant.
What happens if I miss a dose?
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.
What happens if I overdose?
Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
What should I avoid while receiving fosaprepitant?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
What are the possible side effects of fosaprepitant?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, rash, itching, skin sores or peeling; warmth or tingly feeling; fast or weak heartbeats, severe dizziness; trouble breathing or swallowing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- pain, redness, swelling, or bruising where the medicine was injected;
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- pain or burning when you urinate; or
-
low white blood cell counts --fever, swollen gums, mouth sores, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding.
Common side effects may include:
- weakness, tired feeling;
- diarrhea;
- indigestion; or
- pain in your arms or legs.
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.
What other drugs will affect fosaprepitant?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Many drugs can interact with fosaprepitant. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about fosaprepitant.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2018 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.01. Revision date: 12/15/2017.
