Emend 150mg Soln For Inj, 1 Vial

Manufacturer MERCK SHARP & DOHME Active Ingredient Fosaprepitant(fos a PRE pi tant) Pronunciation FOS-uh-PREP-ih-tant
It is used to prevent upset stomach and throwing up from chemo.It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
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Drug Class
Antiemetic
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Pharmacologic Class
Substance P/Neurokinin 1 (NK1) Receptor Antagonist
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Pregnancy Category
Not available
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FDA Approved
Jan 2008
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DEA Schedule
Not Controlled

Overview

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What is this medicine?

Emend (fosaprepitant) is a medicine given by injection to help prevent nausea and vomiting that can be caused by certain types of chemotherapy. It works by blocking a natural substance in the body that triggers vomiting.
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How to Use This Medicine

To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and carefully read all accompanying information. Take this medication exactly as directed, and be sure to follow all instructions provided. This drug is administered as an intravenous infusion, which means it is given into a vein over a specified period of time.

If you need to store this medication at home, consult with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to determine the proper storage procedure.

If you miss a dose, contact your doctor immediately to receive guidance on what actions to take.
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Lifestyle & Tips

  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
  • Eat small, frequent meals if you feel nauseous.
  • Avoid strong odors, greasy, or spicy foods that might trigger nausea.
  • Follow all instructions from your healthcare team regarding your chemotherapy and other antiemetic medications.

Dosing & Administration

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Adult Dosing

Standard Dose: 150 mg IV as a single dose, administered over 20-30 minutes, on Day 1 of a 3-day CINV regimen (e.g., with a corticosteroid and a 5-HT3 antagonist).
Dose Range: 150 - 150 mg

Condition-Specific Dosing:

highlyEmetogenicChemotherapy (HEC): 150 mg IV single dose on Day 1
moderatelyEmetogenicChemotherapy (MEC): 150 mg IV single dose on Day 1
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Pediatric Dosing

Neonatal: Not established
Infant: For patients 6 months to less than 12 years: 5 mg/kg IV (max 150 mg) as a single dose on Day 1. Administer over 30 minutes.
Child: For patients 6 months to less than 12 years: 5 mg/kg IV (max 150 mg) as a single dose on Day 1. Administer over 30 minutes.
Adolescent: For patients 12 to 17 years: 150 mg IV as a single dose on Day 1. Administer over 20-30 minutes.
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Dose Adjustments

Renal Impairment:

Mild: No dose adjustment needed.
Moderate: No dose adjustment needed.
Severe: No dose adjustment needed.
Dialysis: No dose adjustment needed for patients on hemodialysis. Administer after dialysis.

Hepatic Impairment:

Mild: No dose adjustment needed.
Moderate: No dose adjustment needed.
Severe: Use with caution; no clinical data available for patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score >9).

Pharmacology

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Mechanism of Action

Fosaprepitant is a prodrug of aprepitant. After intravenous administration, fosaprepitant is rapidly converted to aprepitant. Aprepitant is a selective high-affinity antagonist of human substance P/neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors. It augments the antiemetic activity of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and corticosteroids and inhibits both the acute and delayed phases of chemotherapy-induced emesis.
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Pharmacokinetics

Absorption:

Bioavailability: Not applicable (IV administration); fosaprepitant is rapidly converted to aprepitant.
Tmax: Aprepitant Tmax after fosaprepitant IV: approximately 0.5 to 1 hour.
FoodEffect: Not applicable (IV administration).

Distribution:

Vd: Aprepitant: approximately 70 L.
ProteinBinding: Aprepitant: >95%.
CnssPenetration: Yes (aprepitant crosses the blood-brain barrier).

Elimination:

HalfLife: Aprepitant: approximately 9-13 hours.
Clearance: Aprepitant: approximately 62 to 84 mL/min.
ExcretionRoute: Primarily fecal (approximately 86%), with a minor portion excreted renally (approximately 5%).
Unchanged: Negligible (for aprepitant).
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Pharmacodynamics

OnsetOfAction: Rapid (due to IV administration and rapid conversion to aprepitant).
PeakEffect: Peak plasma concentrations of aprepitant are achieved within 0.5 to 1 hour after fosaprepitant administration, leading to sustained NK1 receptor occupancy.
DurationOfAction: Up to 5 days (due to long half-life and sustained NK1 receptor occupancy, providing protection against delayed CINV).

Safety & Warnings

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Side Effects

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical help right away:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI), including:
+ Blood in the urine
+ Burning or pain when passing urine
+ Frequent or urgent need to urinate
+ Fever
+ Lower stomach pain
+ Pelvic pain
Flushing
Dizziness or fainting
Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Burning, numbness, or tingling sensations that are not normal
If the medication leaks from the vein, it may cause tissue damage. Inform your nurse immediately if you experience:
+ Redness
+ Burning
+ Pain
+ Swelling
+ Blisters
+ Skin sores
+ Leaking of fluid at the injection site
Low blood cell counts can occur with this medication, increasing the risk of:
+ Bleeding problems
+ Infections
+ Anemia
+ If you experience signs of infection, such as fever, chills, or sore throat, or notice unexplained bruising or bleeding, or feel extremely tired or weak, contact your doctor right away

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If you experience any of the following side effects or any other symptoms that bother you or persist, contact your doctor or seek medical help:

Feeling tired or weak
Stomach pain or diarrhea
Heartburn
Pain in arms or legs

Reporting Side Effects

This list is not exhaustive, and you may experience other side effects not mentioned here. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
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Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:

  • Severe or persistent injection site pain, redness, or swelling.
  • Signs of an allergic reaction (e.g., rash, itching, swelling of the face/tongue/throat, severe dizziness, trouble breathing).
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising (if taking warfarin).
  • Any new or worsening side effects.
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Before Using This Medicine

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
Any medications you are currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, natural products, and vitamins. This is crucial because certain medications, such as those used to treat HIV, infections, seizures, and other conditions, may interact with this drug and should not be taken together.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all potential drug interactions or health problems that may affect the safety of taking this medication. Therefore, it is vital to discuss all of your medications and health conditions with your doctor and pharmacist to ensure safe use.

To guarantee your safety, always check with your doctor before:
Starting any new medication
Stopping any medication
* Changing the dose of any medication

Never modify your medication regimen without first consulting your doctor to confirm that it is safe to do so.
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Precautions & Cautions

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication.

To avoid potential interactions, do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking this drug.

If you are using birth control pills or other hormone-based birth control methods, be aware that this medication may reduce their effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. As a precaution, use an additional form of birth control, such as a condom, during treatment and for 1 month after the last dose.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding, consult your doctor to discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby.
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Overdose Information

Overdose Symptoms:

  • Limited experience with overdose. Symptoms may include drowsiness, headache, or mild to moderate gastrointestinal disturbances.

What to Do:

There is no specific antidote. Treatment should be symptomatic and supportive. Due to high protein binding, hemodialysis is unlikely to be effective. Call 1-800-222-1222 (Poison Control Center) for advice.

Drug Interactions

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Contraindicated Interactions

  • Pimozide (due to potential for increased pimozide levels and serious/life-threatening reactions, including QT prolongation)
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Major Interactions

  • Warfarin (may decrease INR; monitor INR closely for 2 weeks after fosaprepitant administration)
  • Oral contraceptives (may decrease efficacy of hormonal contraceptives; use alternative or back-up contraception)
  • CYP3A4 substrates with narrow therapeutic index (e.g., alfentanil, fentanyl, quinidine, ergot alkaloids like ergotamine and dihydroergotamine, irinotecan, vinblastine, vincristine, etoposide, ifosfamide, docetaxel, alprazolam, triazolam, midazolam, diltiazem, verapamil, corticosteroids like dexamethasone and methylprednisolone - dose adjustments may be needed)
  • CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital - may decrease aprepitant plasma concentrations and efficacy)
  • Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, nelfinavir - may increase aprepitant plasma concentrations)
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Moderate Interactions

  • Dexamethasone (reduce dexamethasone dose by approximately 50% when co-administered with fosaprepitant)
  • Methylprednisolone (reduce methylprednisolone dose by approximately 50% when co-administered with fosaprepitant)
  • Tolbutamide (CYP2C9 substrate; aprepitant may induce CYP2C9, potentially reducing tolbutamide levels)
  • Phenytoin (CYP2C9 substrate; aprepitant may induce CYP2C9, potentially reducing phenytoin levels)
  • Theophylline (CYP1A2 substrate; aprepitant may induce CYP1A2, potentially reducing theophylline levels)
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Minor Interactions

  • Not specifically categorized as minor, but general caution with other drugs metabolized by CYP3A4, CYP2C9, or CYP1A2.

Monitoring

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Baseline Monitoring

Patient's hydration status

Rationale: To ensure adequate hydration before chemotherapy and antiemetic administration.

Timing: Prior to administration.

Concomitant medications review

Rationale: To identify potential drug-drug interactions, especially with CYP3A4 substrates/inducers/inhibitors, warfarin, and oral contraceptives.

Timing: Prior to administration.

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Routine Monitoring

Efficacy (nausea and vomiting episodes)

Frequency: Daily during chemotherapy cycle and for several days post-chemotherapy.

Target: Absence or significant reduction of nausea and vomiting.

Action Threshold: Persistent or severe nausea/vomiting may require additional antiemetics or regimen adjustment.

Adverse reactions (e.g., fatigue, hiccups, constipation, headache, dizziness, injection site reactions)

Frequency: Daily during and after administration.

Target: Absence or mild, tolerable symptoms.

Action Threshold: Severe or persistent adverse effects may require symptomatic treatment or re-evaluation of the antiemetic regimen.

International Normalized Ratio (INR) for patients on warfarin

Frequency: Closely monitor for 2 weeks after fosaprepitant administration.

Target: Therapeutic range for warfarin.

Action Threshold: Significant deviation from target INR may require warfarin dose adjustment.

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Symptom Monitoring

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Hiccups
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Dyspepsia
  • Abdominal pain
  • Injection site reactions (pain, erythema, swelling, induration, thrombophlebitis)

Special Patient Groups

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Pregnancy

Available data from published studies and postmarketing reports on aprepitant use in pregnant women are not sufficient to identify a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Animal reproduction studies with aprepitant showed no adverse developmental effects. Use only if clearly needed.

Trimester-Specific Risks:

First Trimester: No specific data indicating increased risk.
Second Trimester: No specific data indicating increased risk.
Third Trimester: No specific data indicating increased risk.
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Lactation

It is not known whether aprepitant is excreted in human milk. Aprepitant is excreted in the milk of lactating rats. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from aprepitant, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Infant Risk: Unknown; potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants.
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Pediatric Use

Approved for pediatric patients 6 months and older for CINV. Dosing is weight-based for younger children (6 months to <12 years) and a fixed dose for adolescents (12-17 years). Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients younger than 6 months of age have not been established.

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Geriatric Use

No dose adjustment is necessary based on age. However, elderly patients may be more susceptible to some adverse reactions. Monitor for age-related comorbidities and polypharmacy that may increase interaction risk.

Clinical Information

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Clinical Pearls

  • Fosaprepitant is a prodrug that converts to aprepitant, the active antiemetic.
  • Administer IV infusion slowly over 20-30 minutes to minimize injection site reactions.
  • It is typically used as part of a multi-drug antiemetic regimen for CINV, often with a 5-HT3 antagonist and a corticosteroid (e.g., dexamethasone).
  • Remember to adjust the dose of co-administered corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone) by approximately 50% due to aprepitant's CYP3A4 inhibitory effects.
  • Monitor INR closely for patients on warfarin for up to 2 weeks after fosaprepitant administration.
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Alternative Therapies

  • Other NK1 receptor antagonists (e.g., rolapitant, netupitant/palonosetron combination)
  • 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (e.g., ondansetron, palonosetron, granisetron, dolasetron)
  • Corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone)
  • Dopamine receptor antagonists (e.g., prochlorperazine, metoclopramide)
  • Olanzapine (often used in highly emetogenic regimens)
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Cost & Coverage

Average Cost: Highly variable, typically several hundred to over a thousand USD per vial. per 150mg vial
Generic Available: Yes
Insurance Coverage: Specialty Tier or Tier 4/5 (often requires prior authorization for insurance coverage due to cost and specific use)
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General Drug Facts

If your symptoms or health problems persist or worsen, it is essential to contact your doctor for further guidance. To ensure safe use, never share your medication with others, and do not take medication prescribed to someone else. Store all medications in a secure location, out of reach of children and pets, to prevent accidental ingestion. Dispose of unused or expired medications properly. Unless instructed to do so by a healthcare professional, do not flush medications down the toilet or drain. If you are unsure about the proper disposal method, consult your pharmacist, who can also inform you about potential drug take-back programs in your area. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, which your pharmacist can provide. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, discuss them with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately contact your local poison control center or seek medical attention. Be prepared to provide information about the medication taken, the amount, and the time of ingestion.