Uses
The combination of netupitant and palonosetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. Netupitant is in a class of medications called neurokinin (NK1) antagonists. It works by blocking neurokinin, a natural substance in the brain that causes nausea and vomiting. Palonosetron is in a class of medications called 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. It works by blocking serotonin, a natural substance in the body that causes nausea and vomiting.
Side Effects Of Netupitant And Palonosetron
Netupitant and palonosetron may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- stomach pain
- heartburn
- constipation
- weakness
- redness of the skin
Some side effects of netupitant and palonosetron can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
- hives
- rash
- itching
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- shortness of breath
- dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting
- fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- agitation
- hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
- fever
- flushing
- excessive sweating
- confusion
- nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- loss of coordination
- stiff or twitching muscles
- seizures
- coma (loss of consciousness)
Netupitant and palonosetron may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking netupitant and palonosetron:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to netupitant and palonosetron, alosetron (Lotronex), dolasetron (Anzemet), granisetron (Sancuso), ondansetron (Zofran, Zuplenz), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in netupitant and palonosetron capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking with netupitant and palonosetron. Be sure to mention any of the following: benzodiazepines including alprazolam (Xanax), midazolam, and triazolam (Halcion); certain chemotherapy medications such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), docetaxel (Docefrez, Taxotere), etoposide, ifosfamide (Ifex), imatinib (Gleevec), irinotecan (Camptosar), paclitaxel (Taxol), vinblastine, vincristine, and vinorelbine (Navelbine); dexamethasone; erythromycin (E.E.S., Ery-tab, others); fentanyl (Abstral, Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora, Lazanda, Onsolis, Subsys); ketoconazole (Nizoral); lithium (Lithobid); medications to treat migraines such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig); methylene blue; mirtazapine (Remeron); monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors including isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); phenobarbital; rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifater, in Rifamate); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva), and sertraline (Zoloft); and tramadol (Conzip, Ultram, in Ultracet). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects while taking netupitant and palonosetron.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking netupitant and palonosetron, call your doctor.
Dosage Of Netupitant And Palonosetron
The combination of netupitant and palonosetron comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken about 1 hour before the start of chemotherapy with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take netupitant and palonosetron exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your prescription of netupitant and palonosetron.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
