Fosaprepitant
About
Fosaprepitant belongs to a class of drugs called anti-emetics. It is used in combination with other medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy (anti-cancer medicines). Nausea is a feeling of uneasiness in the stomach that often comes before vomiting. On the other hand, vomiting is the forcible voluntary or involuntary emptying of stomach contents through the mouth.
Fosaprepitant contains Fosaprepitant, a neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist which is converted to aprepitant in the body. It works by blocking neurokinin 1 receptors (causes a feeling of sickness) present in the vomiting centre in the brain. Thus, it helps prevent nausea and vomiting.
Fosaprepitant will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. In some cases, Fosaprepitant may cause common side effects such as headache, hiccups, tiredness, loss of appetite, indigestion, and constipation. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, consult your doctor immediately.
If you are allergic to Fosaprepitant or other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before receiving Fosaprepitant. Drive only if you are alert after receiving Fosaprepitant. If you are taking other prescription or non-prescription medicines, inform your doctor before receiving Fosaprepitant.
Uses of Fosaprepitant
Medicinal Benefits
Fosaprepitant contains Fosaprepitant, an anti-emetic (a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting) which is converted to aprepitant in the body. It works by blocking the action of a natural substance in the brain called neurokinin that causes nausea and vomiting. Thus, it helps prevent nausea and vomiting caused by anti-cancer medicines.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Fosaprepitant
- Headache
- Hiccups
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Indigestion
- Constipation
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Fosaprepitant or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before receiving Fosaprepitant. Drive only if you are alert after receiving Fosaprepitant. If you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription medicines, inform your doctor before receiving Fosaprepitant. If you are using warfarin (blood thinner), your doctor may recommend blood tests after you receive Fosaprepitant to check your blood clotting.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Avoid using Fosaprepitant with antipsychotics (pimozide), anti-allergic drugs (astemizole, terfenadine), and gastroprokinetic agents (cisapride). Fosaprepitant may interact with immunosuppressants (tacrolimus, everolimus, cyclosporine, sirolimus), pain killers (fentanyl, alfentanil), a medicine used to treat an irregular heartbeat (quinidine), anticancer medicines (etoposide, vinorelbine, irinotecan, ifosfamide), blood thinners (acenocoumarol, warfarin), antibiotics (clarithromycin, telithromycin, rifampicin), anticonvulsants (phenytoin, carbamazepine), medicines used to produce calmness or help you sleep (triazolam, phenobarbital, midazolam), antifungals (ketoconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, itraconazole), antidepressants (nefazodone), a medicine used to treat high blood pressure (diltiazem), corticosteroids (dexamethasone), anti-anxiety medicines (alprazolam), antidiabetic agent (tolbutamide) and medicines used to treat migraines and HIV infections.
Drug-Food Interactions: Fosaprepitant may interact with St. John’s Wort (herbal preparation used to treat depression).
Drug-Disease Interactions: If you have any liver problems, inform your doctor before receiving Fosaprepitant.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorThe interaction of alcohol with Fosaprepitant is unknown. If you have any concerns regarding this, please discuss them with your doctor.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorIf you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Fosaprepitant. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine only if clearly needed.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Fosaprepitant is excreted in breast milk. Hence, if you are a nursing mother, discuss with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you receive Fosaprepitant.
Driving
cautionFosaprepitant may cause dizziness or sleepiness in some people. Therefore, if you feel dizzy or sleepy after receiving Fosaprepitant, avoid driving or operating machinery.
Liver
cautionIf you have liver disease, inform your doctor before receiving Fosaprepitant.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf you have any kidney problems, inform your doctor before receiving Fosaprepitant.
Children
cautionIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Fosaprepitant in children, please consult a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy and low-fat diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, skinless poultry, lean meats, nuts, fish, whole grains, and plant-based oils, especially in small portions, as it will be easy for digestion.
- Avoid eating over-sweet food and include more salty food, especially if you have been vomiting.
- Increase the intake of fluids. Drink a small amount of water after small intervals to stay hydrated.
- Avoid taking greasy or oily foods, as these foods trigger nausea and vomiting.
- If the smell of food makes you feel sick (vomit), do not cook food, as it may worsen your condition. Let someone else do the cooking or use prepared food from the freezer.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Nausea and vomiting: Nausea is an uneasiness in the stomach that usually precedes vomiting. Vomiting, on the other hand, is a normal bodily response in which a person desires to evacuate stomach contents from the mouth aggressively. In brief, nausea and vomiting are symptoms of a variety of disorders, including infections, motion sickness, an early stage of pregnancy, and gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying). Vomiting is controlled by a receptor in the brain known as the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). After chemotherapy and radiation therapy, nausea and vomiting are common side effects. It can also arise as a side effect of an operation or surgery. Controlling vomiting and nausea in cancer patients is critical for conducting daily tasks. It can cause mental abnormalities, lack of appetite, malnutrition, and dehydration if not managed.
FAQs
Fosaprepitant works by blocking the action of a natural substance in the brain called neurokinin that causes nausea and vomiting. Thus, it helps prevent nausea and vomiting caused by anti-cancer medicines.
Fosaprepitant may cause constipation as a common side effect. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult your doctor.
You are advised not to take hormonal birth control medicines such as birth control pills, implants, skin patches, and certain intrauterine devices (IUDs) as they may not work properly when taken together with Fosaprepitant. Therefore, you are recommended to use another or additional non-hormonal form of birth control method during treatment with Fosaprepitant and for up to 1 month after using Fosaprepitant.
