Fosaprepitant - Intravenous

Fosaprepitant is used together with other medicines to help prevent nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.

Fosaprepitant is to be given intravenously (into the vein) as an infusion. It is delivered directly into the bloodstream via the blood vessel.

Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on the type and severity of your condition.

Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Fosaprepitant.

If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.

Do not use Fosaprepitant with certain medicines for mood disorders, cold or allergy, and heartburn (burning pain in your chest caused by food or acid from your stomach that backs up into your mouth). Please see the section "Can I use this with other medicines?" below for more information.

Inform your doctor if you have moderate to severe liver disease.

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Fosaprepitant to a child. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects.

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

Regular monitoring for signs and symptoms of allergic and infusion site reactions may also be needed.

Fosaprepitant may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, hiccups, constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, stomach pain, decreased appetite, and tiredness.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
• pain, swelling, itching and redness at the infusion site

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Do not use Fosaprepitant with the following medicines:

• pimozide (medicine for mood disorders)
• cisapride (medicine for heartburn)
• medicines for cold or allergy e.g. astemizole, terfenadine

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:

• medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, everolimus, sirolimus, tacrolimus
• medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, midazolam
• medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole
• medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir, nelfinavir
• medicines for cancer e.g. irinotecan, paclitaxel
• medicines for migraine e.g. ergotamine
• corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medicines) e.g. dexamethasone, methylprednisolone
• certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, telithromycin
• blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
• strong painkillers e.g. fentanyl, alfentanil
• alprazolam (medicine for anxiety)
• triazolam (medicine for sleep disorder)
• diltiazem (medicine for high blood pressure)
• nefazodone (medicine to treat depression)
• quinidine (medicine for irregular heartbeat)
• rifampicin (medicine to treat TB, a lung infection known as tuberculosis)
• tolbutamide (medicine for diabetes)
• St. John's wort (herbal medicine)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Fosaprepitant.

Inform your doctor if you are currently taking birth control pills or other types of hormonal birth control, as Fosaprepitant can reduce the effectiveness of these medicines. You should not stop or start any birth control pills without first informing your doctor. Ask your doctor about using non-hormonal birth control as an alternative while being treated with Fosaprepitant.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Avoid excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).

Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.