Aprepitant (Systemic)

Brand Names : Emend

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking aprepitant must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For aprepitant, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to aprepitant. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Aprepitant has not been studied in pregnant women. However, aprepitant has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether aprepitant passes into breast milk. However, aprepitant is not recommended during breast feeding because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of aprepitant in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - This medicine has been studied in the elderly and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults. However, elderly people may be more sensitive to the adverse effects of aprepitant which may require caution.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine. When you are taking aprepitant, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Astemizole (e.g., Hismanal) or
• Cisapride (e.g., Propulsid) or
• Pimozide (e.g., Orap) or
• Terfenadine (e.g., Seldane) - These medicines may increase the chance of serious side effects and should not be taken with aprepitant.

• Benzodiazepines, such as
• Alprazolam (e.g., Xanax), or
• Midazolam (e.g., Versed), or
• Triazolam (e.g., Halcion) - These medicines may increase the risk of side effects when taken with aprepitant.

• Dexamethasone (e.g., Decadron) or
• Methylprednisolone (e.g., Medrol) - The dose of these medicines may need to be decreased if you take them with aprepitant.

• Chemotherapy agents (medicine for cancer), such as
• Docetaxel (e.g., Taxotere) or
• Etoposide (e.g., Vepesid) or
• Ifosfamide (e.g., Ifex) or
• Imatinib (e.g., Gleevec) or
• Irinotecan (e.g., Camptosar) or
• Paclitaxel (e.g., Taxol) or
• Vinblastine or
• Vincristine (e.g., Vincasar PFS) or
• Vinorelbine (e.g., Navelbine) - Careful monitoring and caution is recommended when giving with aprepitant.

• Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) - Aprepitant may decrease the effectiveness of these medicines; additional birth control measures may be needed to decrease the risk of pregnancy.

• Warfarin (e.g., Coumadin) - Anticoagulant effectiveness may be decreased.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of aprepitant. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Severe liver problems - Aprepitant has not been studied in patients with severe liver problems.