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Aprepitant is a medicine used to treat nausea or vomiting in certain circumstances. So what is Aprepitant and how is it used?
1. What is Aprepitant?
Aprepitant has the main ingredient aprepitant, the drug is prepared in the following forms and strengths:
Intravenous emulsion with the content of 130 mg/18ml; Oral capsules with the strength of 125 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg; Oral suspension with the content of 125 mg, 80 mg; Powder for oral preparation with a strength of 125 mg. Aprepitant works to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drugs. Aprepitant is also used to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery. Aprepitant works by blocking substance P/neurokinin 1 - which causes vomiting in the body.
Aprepitant cannot treat nausea or vomiting if you already have it. Aprepitant capsules are intended for use in both adults and children 12 years of age and older. Oral suspension of Aprepitant can be used in both adults and children under 6 months of age.
You should not use Aprepitant in the following cases:
Allergy to any ingredient of the drug; You are taking Pimozide, because Aprepitant can cause side effects or be dangerous when taken with Pimozide. Care should be taken when using Aprepitant in the following cases:
Liver disease; Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
2. Dosage and usage of Aprepitant
Take Aprepitant with or without food. To prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy in cancer treatment, the first dose of Aprepitant is usually given 1 hour before treatment. For the next 2 days, usually take Aprepitant once daily in the morning or as directed by your doctor. In the case of preventing nausea and vomiting after surgery, a dose of Aprepitant 40mg is usually used before surgery. Dosage of Aprepitant should be according to the doctor's prescription. Reference dose for the following cases:
Adult dose is using chemotherapy to treat cancer: Day 1: Use dose of 125mg orally 1 hour before chemotherapy; Days 2 and 3: Use 80mg dose, taken in the morning; Duration of treatment: 3 days. Dosage for adults with postoperative nausea or vomiting : Use a single oral dose of 40mg within 3 hours before anesthesia . Dosage for children has not been studied and decided yet. Consult your doctor if you are giving this medicine to a child. Symptoms of an Aprepitant overdose may include: Drowsiness or headache. You need to immediately call your doctor or go to the nearest medical facility for timely treatment.
If you forget a dose of Aprepitant, call your doctor for instructions on the proper use of the medicine.
3. Side effects of the drug Aprepitant
If you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Aprepitant such as: Rash; shortness of breath; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat requires immediate medical attention.
If you have a serious side effect while using Aprepitant, call your doctor right away, symptoms include:
Feeling of fainting; Feeling very thirsty or hot; Inability to urinate; Excessive sweating or hot and dry skin; flu symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches; Sores in the mouth and throat. Less serious side effects of Aprepitant include:
Nausea, vomiting; Heartburn; Stomach pain ; Diarrhea; Constipation; Loss of appetite; Hiccup ; Hair loss; Headache; Dizzy; Feeling tired; mild skin rash; Tinnitus ; Insomnia. If you experience any side effects of Aprepitant, call your doctor or go to the nearest medical facility for examination and appropriate treatment advice.
4. Interactions of Aprepitant with other drugs
Aprepitant may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. This effect can last up to 28 days after the last dose of Aprepitant. You need to use an additional non-hormonal method of birth control such as condoms, diaphragms, and spermicide to ensure effective prevention of pregnancy while using aprepitant and for at least 1 month after treatment ends.
Aprepitant can interact with the following drugs when used together, including:
Tolbutamide; Anticoagulants; Midazolam, Valium, Xanax, Tranxene; Antidepressants such as Nefazodone or Paroxetine; Antibiotics such as Clarithromycin, Rifampin; antifungal medicine such as Itraconazole or Ketoconazole; Cancer drugs such as Ifosfamide, Vinblastine or Vincristine; HIV medicines such as Nelfinavir, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Ritonavir; Seizure medications such as Carbamazepine, Phenytoin; Anti-inflammatory drugs such as Dexamethasone, Methylprednisolone. Above is information about Aprepitant's uses, dosage and usage. Patients should carefully read the instructions for use, consult a doctor / pharmacist before use. Absolutely do not arbitrarily buy drugs to treat at home because there may be unwanted side effects.
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