Aprepitant

Uses

Precaution

Side Effects

Handling

Uses

What is Aprepitant for?

Aprepitant is used to prevent nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy.

How should I take or use Aprepitant?

Take the exact number of capsules and follow the dosing schedule instructed by your doctor.
Usual dosing regimen to prevent nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy:
- Take the Aprepitant 125mg capsule 1 hour before starting chemotherapy on Day 1 and the Aprepitant 80mg capsules each morning for the 2 days following chemotherapy.
- Can be taken with or without food.
Swallow the capsule whole. Do not open, chew or crush the capsule.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have difficulty swallowing.

What should I do if I forget to take or use Aprepitant?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take it at the next scheduled time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

Precaution

What precautions should I take when taking or using Aprepitant?

Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
- You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
- You have any other medical conditions.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use Aprepitant?

Avoid taking certain fruits such as grapefruit, pomelo, starfruit and pomegranate when you are taking this medication. This is because these fruits may affect how the body processes the drug and increase the risk of side-effects.

Side Effects

What are some common side effects of Aprepitant?

The table below will list some of the common side effects as well as the rare but serious side effects.

Side Effect	Management
Poor Appetite	This may be worsened by a change in taste of food and/or nausea. Try different flavours of food and small frequent meals. For poor appetite, try to include nutritional supplements (such as milk supplements) into your diet.
Feeling tired or lack of energy	Do not drive or operate machinery if you are feeling tired. Eat well and get enough sleep. Prioritize tasks to ensure you make the best use of your energy. Simple exercise such as walking can help to boost your energy. Avoid alcohol as this may cause you to feel more tired and drowsy.
Symptoms of drug allergy including one or more of the following: Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue Difficulty in breathing Itchy skin rashes over your whole body	If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Side Effect

Management

Poor Appetite

This may be worsened by a change in taste of food and/or nausea.
Try different flavours of food and small frequent meals.
For poor appetite, try to include nutritional supplements (such as milk supplements) into your diet.

Feeling tired or lack of energy

Do not drive or operate machinery if you are feeling tired.
Eat well and get enough sleep. Prioritize tasks to ensure you make the best use of your energy.
Simple exercise such as walking can help to boost your energy.
Avoid alcohol as this may cause you to feel more tired and drowsy.

Symptoms of drug allergy including one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

It is normal to experience some side effects from Aprepitant. As discussed with your doctor, taking Aprepitant will be beneficial for your condition. Do not stop taking Aprepitant without checking with your doctor.

Handling

How should I store Aprepitant?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away Aprepitant safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimers

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side-effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side-effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (NHG Health, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.