Aprepitant is used to 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 Aprepitant with or without food. Swallow the capsule whole.
If you are taking Aprepitant to prevent nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, take it 1 hour before your chemotherapy treatment.
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.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Do not take Aprepitant with certain medicines for mood disorder, cold or allergy and gastric discomfort. Please see the section “Can I take this with other medicines?” below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have liver disease.
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Aprepitant may cause dizziness. 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: diarrhoea, constipation, stomach discomfort and pain, loss of appetite, tiredness, hiccups, weakness and headache.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience 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)
- astemizole, terfenadine (medicines for cold or allergy)
- cisapride (medicine for gastric discomfort)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for fungal infections e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
- antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, troleandomycin
- rifampicin (medicine for TB)
- medicine for migraine e.g. ergotamine, diergotamine
- medicines for anxiety and sleep disorder e.g. midazolam, alprazolam, triazolam
- tolbutamide (medicine for diabetes)
- warfarin (a blood-thinning medicine)
- medicines used in chemotherapy e.g. etoposide, vinorelbine
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. cyclosporine, tacrolimus, everolimus, sirolimus
- 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 as Aprepitant can reduce the effectiveness of these birth control pills. 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.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.