Often used for:
Nausea and vomiting
What is aprepitant?
Aprepitant is a medicine used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting. It is often given before a dose of chemotherapy known to cause stomach upset. It may also be given to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by surgery.
Aprepitant at home
- Aprepitant may be taken with or without food.
- This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Capsules: Swallow capsules whole. Do not open, cut, crush, or chew. Store capsules at room temperature.
- Oral liquid: Provided in prefilled oral syringes. Store in the refrigerator. A dose may be kept at room temperature for up to 3 hours. Throw away remaining medicine after 2 days.
- Give a missed dose as soon as possible. If it is near the time for the next dose, skip the dose. Do not give 2 doses at the same time.
- Do not use the medicine past the expiration date.
- Follow instructions for safe storage and disposal.
Possible side effects
- Dizziness
- Fatigue or weakness
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Hiccups, burping
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Gas
- Hair loss
- Skin rash
- Fever
- Skin irritation at the injection site
- Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, hives, itching, chills, fever, headache, muscle ache, shortness of breath, coughing, tightness in the throat, swelling of the face or neck
- Not all patients who take aprepitant will experience these side effects. Common side effects are in bold, but there may be others. Please report all suspected side effects to your doctor or pharmacist.
Tips for families
- Be sure to discuss these and other recommendations with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Aprepitant may make birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control methods less effective. Sexually active patients should use another form of birth control, such as condoms.
- Patients should tell their doctor if they are pregnant or breastfeeding.
