Aprepitant Side Effects

Brand Names: Emend

Please note - some side effects for Aprepitant may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

Side Effects of Aprepitant - for the Consumer

Aprepitant

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Aprepitant:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; hair loss; headache; heartburn; hiccups; loss of appetite; nausea; tiredness; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; vomiting; weakness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); burning, numbness, or tingling of your arms, hands, legs, or feet; burning or pain during urination; chest, jaw, or left arm pain; confusion; difficult or decreased urination; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; flushing; mental or mood changes (eg, depression); pain, redness, or swelling in the legs; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent dizziness, headache, heartburn, or stomach pain; severe rash with fever, mouth sores, or red and irritated eyes; signs of infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent sore throat); soreness of the mouth or tongue; shortness of breath; strong urge to urinate.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Side Effects by Body System - for Healthcare Professionals

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects including alopecia (24%) and rash have been reported with the use of aprepitant as a part of a regimen that also included ondansetron and dexamethasone which was given along with moderately or highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. Pruritus and urticaria have also been reported.

General

General side effects including asthenia/fatigue (17.8%), dizziness (3.4% to 6.6%), dehydration (5.9%), abdominal pain (4.6%), fever (2.9%), mucous membrane disorder (2.6%) have been reported with the use of aprepitant as a part of a regimen that also included ondansetron and dexamethasone which was given along with moderately or highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. Diaphoresis, edema, flushing, malaise, pelvic pain, septic shock, and upper respiratory infection have also been reported.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects including headache (8.5% to 16.4%) and insomnia (2.9%) have been reported with the use of aprepitant as a part of a regimen that also included ondansetron and dexamethasone which was given along with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. Peripheral neuropathy and sensory neuropathy have also been reported.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects including nausea (7.1% to 12.7%), constipation (10.3% to 12.3%), diarrhea (5.5% to 10.3%), dyspepsia (8.4%), vomiting (7.5%), stomatitis (5.3%), heartburn (5.3%), gastritis (4.2%), and epigastric discomfort (4.0%) have been reported with the use of aprepitant as a part of a regimen with ondansetron and dexamethasone which was given along with moderately or highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. Acid reflux, deglutination, disorder, dysgeusia, dysphagia, flatulence, obstipation, increased salivation, and taste disturbance have also been reported.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects including hiccups (10.8%) have been reported with the use of aprepitant as a part of a regimen that also included ondansetron and dexamethasone which was given along with moderately or highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. Cough, dyspnea, pneumonitis, respiratory insufficiency, lower respiratory infection, nasal secretion, pharyngitis, pharyngolaryngeal pain, and vocal disturbance have also been reported.

Other

Other side effects including anorexia (4.3% to 10.1%) and tinnitus (3.7%) have been reported with the use of aprepitant as a part of a regimen that also included ondansetron and dexamethasone which was given along with moderately or highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.

Oncologic

Oncologic side effects including malignant neoplasm and non-small cell lung carcinoma have been reported with the use of aprepitant as a part of a regimen that also included ondansetron and dexamethasone which was given along with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.

Thyroid follicular cell adenomas and carcinomas in male rats and increased incidences of hepatocellular adenoma and thyroid follicular adenoma in female rats have been reported. The drug has also been reported to cause skin fibrosarcomas in male mice.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects including neutropenia have been reported with the use of aprepitant as a part of a regimen that also included ondansetron and dexamethasone which was given along with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. Anemia, febrile neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia have also been reported.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects including deep vein thrombosis, hypertension, hypotension, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and tachycardia have been reported with the use of aprepitant as a part of a regimen that also included ondansetron and dexamethasone which was given along with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects including diabetes mellitus have been reported with the use of aprepitant as a part of a regimen that also included ondansetron and dexamethasone which was given along with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. Decreased appetite, hypokalemia, and weight loss have also been reported.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects including muscular weakness, musculoskeletal pain, and myalgia have been reported with the use of aprepitant as a part of a regimen that also included ondansetron and dexamethasone which was given along with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects including anxiety disorder, confusion, and depression have been reported with the use of aprepitant as a part of a regimen that also included ondansetron and dexamethasone which was given along with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects including dysuria and renal insufficiency have been reported with the use of aprepitant as a part of a regimen that also included ondansetron and dexamethasone which was given along with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects including anaphylactic reactions have been reported.

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