Palonosetron
About
Palonosetron belongs to a class of drugs called antiemetics used to prevent nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy. 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.
Palonosetron 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, it prevents nausea and vomiting.
Take Palonosetron as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Palonosetron for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience diarrhoea, constipation, dizziness or headache. Most of these side effects of Palonosetron do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Palonosetron or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Palonosetron is not recommended for children. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before taking Palonosetron. Drive only if you are alert as Palonosetron may cause tiredness or dizziness. You are recommended to avoid heavy meals and take small nourishing snacks throughout the day. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Uses of Palonosetron
Medicinal Benefits
Palonosetron contains Palonosetron that blocks the action of serotonin, a chemical that stimulates the vomiting centre (chemoreceptor trigger zone – CTZ) located in the brain. Thus, it prevents nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Palonosetron
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Headache
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Palonosetron or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. The oral form is not recommended for children. However, the injection may be given to children above 1 month as advised by a doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before taking Palonosetron. Drive only if you are alert as Palonosetron may cause tiredness or dizziness. You are recommended to avoid heavy meals and take small nourishing snacks throughout the day. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Palonosetron may interact with antidepressants (citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, escitalopram, duloxetine, venlafaxine), heart-related drugs or high blood pressure (quinidine, amiodarone, nicardipine), antibiotics (moxifloxacin, erythromycin), antiemetic (domperidone), antipsychotic drugs (thioridazine, quetiapine, chlorpromazine, haloperidol).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have blocked bowel, repeated constipation, heart problems or imbalance of potassium and magnesium in the blood, inform your doctor before taking Palonosetron.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of alcohol with Palonosetron is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Palonosetron.
Pregnancy
cautionPalonosetron is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult a doctor before taking Palonosetron if you are breastfeeding. Palonosetron is given to breastfeeding women only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.
Driving
cautionPalonosetron may cause tiredness or dizziness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you feel tired or dizzy after taking Palonosetron.
Liver
safe if prescribedPalonosetron may be safe to use in patients with liver problems if prescribed by a doctor.
Kidney
safe if prescribedPalonosetron may be safe to use in patients with kidney problems if prescribed by a doctor.
Children
unsafePalonosetron is not recommended for children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet and a low-fat diet, 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.
- Also, if you like to vomit at a specific time, avoid eating your favourite food at that particular time as your taste for that food may get turned off.
- Drink any other liquid at least 30 minutes after eating food.
- If the smell of food makes you feel sick (vomit), do not cook food as it may worsen your condition. Let someone else do cooking or use prepared food from the freezer.
Special Advise
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
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. 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). There is a receptor located in our brain known as the chemoreceptor zone (CTZ) that controls vomiting.
FAQs
Palonosetron contains Palonosetron that works by blocking the action of serotonin, a chemical that stimulates the vomiting centre (chemoreceptor trigger zone – CTZ) located in the brain. Thus, it prevents nausea and vomiting.
You are not recommended to take erythromycin with Palonosetron as it may increase the risk of severe irregular heart rhythm. However, please consult your doctor before taking other medicines with Palonosetron.
Palonosetron may cause constipation as a side effect. It is not necessary for everyone taking Palonosetron to experience this side effect. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
Palonosetron should be used with caution in patients suffering from heart problems as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have any heart problems before taking have Palonosetron so that the dose may be adjusted appropriately.
You are not recommended to stop taking Palonosetron without consulting your doctor as it may increase the risk of nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy. Therefore, take Palonosetron for as long as your doctor has prescribed it and if you experience any difficulty while taking Palonosetron, please consult your doctor.
