Emend Side Effects

Generic name: aprepitant

Note: This document contains side effect information about aprepitant. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Emend.

Some side effects of Emend may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to aprepitant: oral capsule, oral kit

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking aprepitant (the active ingredient contained in Emend) hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• feeling like you might pass out;

• feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin; or

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat.

Less serious side effects of aprepitant may include:

• nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach pain;

• diarrhea or constipation;

• loss of appetite;

• hiccups;

• hair loss;

• headache;

• dizziness;

• tired feeling;

• mild skin rash;

• ringing in your ears; or

• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to aprepitant: oral capsule, oral kit

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects including alopecia (24%) and rash have been reported with the use of aprepitant (the active ingredient contained in Emend) as a part of a regimen that also included ondansetron and dexamethasone which was given along with moderately or highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. Postmarketing side effects reported include pruritus, rash, urticaria, and rarely Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis.

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 (the active ingredient contained in Emend) 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 (the active ingredient contained in Emend) 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 (the active ingredient contained in Emend) 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 (the active ingredient contained in Emend) 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 (the active ingredient contained in Emend) 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 (the active ingredient contained in Emend) 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 (the active ingredient contained in Emend) 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 (the active ingredient contained in Emend) 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 (the active ingredient contained in Emend) 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 (the active ingredient contained in Emend) 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 (the active ingredient contained in Emend) 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 (the active ingredient contained in Emend) 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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