Fosaprepitant Dimeglumine, Injection fos-ap-REH-pi-tant dy-MEG-loo-meen

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiemetic (antinausea)

Generic and brand names: fosaprepitant dimeglumine, injection; Emend Injection

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to prevent nausea and vomiting that can occur during or after chemotherapy.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine or to a food additive called polysorbate 80
• liver disease.

Do not take this medicine if you take pimozide (Orap). Taking these medicines together could be life-threatening.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine can make birth control pills less effective. While taking this medicine and for 1 month after the last dose of this medicine, use another birth control method or use an additional method such as condoms or a diaphragm. Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by a healthcare provider just before chemotherapy.

What should I watch out for?

If you take warfarin (Coumadin), you need to have your blood clotting time checked for 2 weeks after each treatment with this medicine.

While taking this medicine and for 1 month after the last dose of this medicine, use another birth control method or use an additional method such as condoms or a diaphragm. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Heart rate less than 50 or greater than 100 beats per minute; numbness or tingling of your feet or hands; trouble urinating.

Other: Infusion site pain, headache, redness, weakness, tiredness, hiccups, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods, may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-Tabs, E.E.S.), isoniazid, rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), and telithromycin (Ketek)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin)
• antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• antivirals such as lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), and ritonavir (Norvir)
• benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), midazolam (Versed), and triazolam (Halcion)
• birth control pills, patches, implants, and injections
• chemotherapy medicines such as dasatinib (Sprycel), docetaxel (Taxotere), etoposide (Toposar, VePesid), ifosfamide (Ifex), imatinib (Gleevec), irinotecan (Camptosar), paclitaxel, vinblastine, vinorelbine (Navelbine), and vincristine
• cisapride (Propulsid)
• corticosteroids such as dexamethasone, prednisone, and methylprednisolone (Medrol)
• heart medicines such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor), nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR), quinidine, and verapamil (Calan, Covera)
• SSRI antidepressants such as nefazodone and paroxetine (Paxil)
• pimozide (Orap)
• St. John's wort
• tolbutamide
• warfarin (Coumadin).

The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.