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Overview: Aprepitant is used to prevent nausea and vomiting. Common side effects include tiredness or weakness, diarrhea, or hiccups. Aprepitant is available in multiple forms, including a capsule or liquid you take by mouth. It is also available as an injectable form given into a blood vessel by a health care provider. Aprepitant may make certain types of birth control not work as well. Tell your health care provider about all of the medicines you take and your medical conditions before using aprepitant.

Uses

What is aprepitant used for?

Arepitant is commonly used to prevent nausea and vomiting that is caused by chemotherapy or surgery.

Aprepitant may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does aprepitant work (mechanism of action)?

Aprepitant is a type of medicine known as an antiemetic (anti-nausea medicine). It works by preventing a substance in the brain from binding to neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptors. This helps suppress the vomiting reflex.

How is aprepitant supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Aponvie
  • Cinvanti
  • Emend oral

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 40 mg, 80 mg, and 125 mg oral capsules
  • 125 mg kit for oral suspension

Aprepitant is also available in injectable forms.

See also: Fosaprepitant (Emend injection, Focinvez)

How should I store aprepitant?

Oral Capsule. Aprepitant capsule should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Oral Liquid. Aprepitant oral liquid will be prepared by your health care provider. If you do not use it right away, keep the oral dispenser in the refrigerator, between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C). You should take the medicine within two days of getting it from your health care provider. It can be kept at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C), for up to three hours when you are ready to take it.

Injection Liquid. Aprepitant injection is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of aprepitant?

The most common side effects of aprepitant are listed below. These side effects may vary based on your age and the product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of aprepitant that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of aprepitant?

While less common, the most serious side effects of aprepitant are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Aprepitant may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using aprepitant and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, eyes, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Flushing
  • Skin peeling or sores
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use aprepitant?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use aprepitant.

  • Aprepitant
  • Aponvie
  • Cinvanti
  • Emend
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific aprepitant products they stock.

Drug Interactions. Aprepitant should not be used while you are using certain other medicines. Before using aprepitant, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.  See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about aprepitant before using it?

Aprepitant comes as a capsule or liquid that is swallowed or a liquid that is injected into a blood vessel. Aprepitant injection is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

Do not use aprepitant unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed. 

Do not share aprepitant with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep aprepitant out of the reach of children. Since aprepitant oral liquid should be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

If you are taking aprepitant capsules, swallow them whole without breaking or chewing them. 

Aprepitant may make certain types of birth control not work as well. If you are using a form of birth control that contains hormones (such as a pill, patch, or vaginal ring) to prevent pregnancy, you should use backup nonhormonal birth control (such as condoms) while using aprepitant and for one month after your last dose. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using aprepitant?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if aprepitant is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Liver Problems. It is unknown if or how aprepitant may affect you if you have severe liver problems. Tell your health care provider about any prior or current liver problems.

Pregnancy. Injectable forms of aprepitant may cause harm to an unborn baby because they contain alcohol. It is not known if or how aprepitant forms taken by mouth could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will advise you if you should use aprepitant while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if aprepitant passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will advise you if you should use aprepitant while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does aprepitant interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between aprepitant and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect aprepitant.

Does aprepitant interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using aprepitant.

  • A birth control pill, patch, vaginal ring, implant, injection, or intrauterine device (IUD) that contains hormones
  • Pimozide, an antipsychotic medicine used to treat symptoms of Tourette syndrome
  • Warfarin, which is a blood thinner
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which are used for fungal infections
  • Diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure and other conditions
  • A benzodiazepine, such as alprazolam or triazolam, which is a medicine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures
  • A corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone or methylprednisolone, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
  • Clarithromycin, which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • A protease inhibitor, such as nelfinavir (Viracept) or ritonavir (Norvir), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV
  • Nefazodone, which is a medicine used to treat depression
  • Any medicine for seizures, such as carbamazepine or phenytoin

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of aprepitant, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with aprepitant. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much aprepitant?

If you or someone else has used too much aprepitant, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of aprepitant?

Your dosage of aprepitant depends on why you are using it. If you miss a dose, contact your health care provider for advice. Do not use double or extra doses.