Netupitant and palonosetron

Generic name: netupitant and palonosetron (oral) [ net-UE-pi-tant-and-PAL-oh-NOE-se-tron ]
Brand name: Akynzeo
Dosage form: oral capsule (300 mg-0.5 mg)
Drug class: Miscellaneous antiemetics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Oct 12, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is netupitant and palonosetron?

Netupitant and palonosetron is a combination medicine used to help prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. netupitant and palonosetron is given together with a steroid called dexamethasone.

Netupitant and palonosetron helps prevent nausea and vomiting that occurs both during chemotherapy and later on (delayed nausea and vomiting).

Netupitant and palonosetron may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

Netupitant and palonosetron is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease; or

• an allergic reaction to a medicine for nausea or vomiting, such as dolasetron (Anzemet), ondansetron (Zofran), or palonosetron (Aloxi).

Be sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, or serious infections. These medicines may interact with netupitant and palonosetron and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

Netupitant and palonosetron may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

You should not breast-feed while using netupitant and palonosetron.

How should I take netupitant and palonosetron?

This medicine is given ahead of time and will not treat nausea or vomiting you already have.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

About 1 hour before chemotherapy, you will take netupitant and palonosetron with or without food.

You will take dexamethasone 30 minutes before chemotherapy, and you may need to keep taking it for 3 days afterward. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Store the capsules at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you have not taken netupitant and palonosetron at the correct time before your chemotherapy.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking netupitant and palonosetron?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Netupitant and palonosetron side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; chest pain, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common side effects of netupitant and palonosetron may include:

• headache;

• feeling weak or tired;

• skin redness; or

• upset stomach, constipation.

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.

Netupitant and palonosetron dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting -- Chemotherapy Induced:

Netupitant 300 mg-palonosetron 0.5 mg orally ONCE, given 60 minutes before chemotherapy on Day 1

ADDITIONAL MEDICATIONS:
Highly Emetogenic Cancer Chemotherapy, Including Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy:
-Day 1: Dexamethasone 12 mg orally 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy
-Days 2 to 4: Dexamethasone 8 mg orally once a day

Anthracyclines and Cyclophosphamide-Based Chemotherapy and Chemotherapy Not Considered Highly Emetogenic:
-Day 1: Dexamethasone 12 mg orally 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy

Use: In combination with dexamethasone for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of cancer chemotherapy, including, but not limited to, highly emetogenic chemotherapy

What other drugs will affect netupitant and palonosetron?

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 affect netupitant and palonosetron. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Further information

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.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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