Palanosetron
About
Palanosetron belongs to a class of drugs called anti-emetics. It is used to prevent nausea and vomiting. Nausea is a feeling of uneasiness of 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.
Palanosetron contains Palonosetron which works by blocking the action of serotonin, a chemical that stimulates the vomiting centre (chemoreceptor trigger zone – CTZ) located in the brain. Thus, helps prevent nausea and vomiting.
Palanosetron can be taken with or without food. This medicine should be taken as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition.
In some cases, Palanosetron may cause certain common side effects such as headache, constipation, a feeling of warmth or flushing, redness, and injection site reactions. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist for a longer period, consult your doctor immediately.
Palanosetron should be avoided if you are allergic to it or other medicines of same class such as Ondansetron, Granisetron, or any other contents in the formulation. Palanosetron should be used in children above one year of age only if prescribed by your pediatrician. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taken Palanosetron. Inform your doctor if you have or had heart or liver problems or a blockage in your stomach or intestines. Also mention about all your previous and present medication history especially medicines to treat epilepsy, heart problems, cancer and depression.Palanosetron contains lactose so tell your doctor if you have an intolerance to some sugars.
Uses of Palanosetron
Medicinal Benefits
Palanosetron contains Palonosetron which blocks the action of serotonin, a chemical that stimulates the vomiting center (chemoreceptor trigger zone – CTZ) located in the brain. Thus, it prevents nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and also after surgery. Additionally, Palanosetron can be used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by radiotherapy for cancer in adults.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Palanosetron
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Constipation
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Palanosetron if you are allergic to Palanosetron or any of its ingredients. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking Palanosetron. Inform your doctor if you have or had heart or liver problems or a blockage in your stomach or intestines. Also mention about all your previous and present medication history especially medicines to treat epilepsy, heart problems, cancer and depression. Palanosetron may affect a person's ability to drive, so you should avoid driving or operating any machine. Palanosetron should not be taken along with an opioid analgesic (fentanyl) as it may cause drug reaction. Palanosetron should be used in children above one year of age only if prescribed by your pediatrician.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Palanosetron is known to interact with medicines to treat depression (lithium), migraines (almotriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan), mental illness (isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine, citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline), pain-killers (aspirin, tramadol), opioids analgesic (fentanyl).
Drug-Food Interactions: Palanosetron is known to interact with alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Palanosetron is known to interact in people with depression, mental illness, liver or kidney disease, Parkinson's disease, migraine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid alcohol consumption while taking Palanosetron as it may increase drowsiness and lead to unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPalanosetron is a pregnancy category B drug. It is not known whether it will affect the baby or not. Hence inform your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks before prescribing this medicine.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known whether Palanosetron will harm the baby and pass through the breastmilk. Hence, if you are a nursing mother, inform your doctor before taking Palanosetron. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks before prescribing this medicine.
Driving
cautionPalanosetron may cause weakness, dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionPalanosetron should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver problems. However, inform your doctor if you have any liver problems before receiving Palanosetron so that your doctor may adjust the dose appropriately.
Kidney
cautionPalanosetron should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney problems. Hence, inform your doctor if you have any kidney problems before receiving Palanosetron.
Children
safe if prescribedPalanosetron is safe in children if prescribed by a doctor. It is used in children aged 1 month to treat nausea and vomiting during cancer treatment.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid taking greasy or oily foods as this food triggers nausea and vomit.
- 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.
- Eat a healthy and a low-fat diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, skinless poultry, nuts, fish, whole grains, 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.
Special Advise
- Increase intake of fluids to stay hydrated.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Nausea/Vomiting: Nausea is a uneasy feeling of the stomach that often occurs before vomiting. On the other hand, vomiting is a natural response of the body in which a person wants to expel stomach contents from the mouth forcefully. In short, nausea and vomiting are not diseases but are symptoms of many conditions like infections, motion sickness, an early stage of pregnancy, and gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying). A receptor located in the brain known as the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) controls vomiting. Usually, a person faces nausea and vomiting as the unpleasant effects of cancer therapy after chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It can also occur after an operation or surgery as a symptom. It is essential to control vomiting and nausea in cancer patients for performing everyday activities of the day. If not controlled, it can lead to mental changes, loss of appetite, malnutrition, and dehydration.
FAQs
Palanosetron belongs to a group of medicines known as 'anti-emetic,' containing 'Palonoestron' that works by blocking the action of a chemical in the body (serotonin) responsible for causing nausea and vomiting. As a result, Palanosetron prevents nausea and vomiting caused due to conditions like surgery, cancer chemotherapy.
No, Palanosetron is nausea and vomiting medicine and not a steroid. It is used to treat nausea and vomiting which occur after surgery or chemotherapy.
Tell your doctor if you are facing severe constipation as Palanosetron is also known to cause constipation and if you are already suffering from constipation, your condition might become worse. Please inform your doctor; he will decide that whether you can take this medicine or not.
The most common side effects of Palanosetron are constipation, dizziness, sleepiness, and headache. However, these are usually not bothersome and resolve on their own after some time. If these persist or worry you, please consult your doctor.
No, Palanosetron does not work for seasickness as it has very little effect on nausea associated with motion sickness.
Yes, Palanosetron may be used to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery. Palanosetron blocks serotonin (a chemical) action which is responsible for causing nausea and vomiting.