Introduction
Aproxi 80 is a prescription medicine used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. It is also used in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults.
Aproxi 80 is given by your doctor or nurse. You should keep taking this medicine for as long as your doctor recommends. If you stop treatment too early your symptoms may come back and your condition may worsen. Let your doctor know about all other medications you are taking as some may affect, or be affected by this medicine.
The most common side effects are headache, hiccups, loss of appetite, fatigue, and constipation. Most of these are temporary and usually resolve with time. Contact your doctor straight away if you are at all concerned about any of these side effects. This medicine may cause diarrhea, so it is better to take plenty of fluids while taking this medicine as it may help to prevent dehydration. It may also cause dizziness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine as it can worsen your sleepiness.
Before taking this medicine, you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding. You should tell your doctor if you have any kidney or liver diseases so that your doctor can prescribe a suitable dose for you.
Uses of Aproxi 80
- Nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy
Side effects of Aproxi 80
Common
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Hiccup
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Constipation
How to use Aproxi 80
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How Aproxi 80 works
Aproxi 80 is an antiemetic medication. It works by blocking the action of a chemical messenger (neurokinin) in the brain that may cause nausea and vomiting during anti-cancer treatment (chemotherapy).
What if you forget to take Aproxi 80?
If you miss a dose of Aproxi 80, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Indication
Prevent nausea and vomiting caused by certain types of cancer medicines (chemotherapy), prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery.
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Adult Dose
Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
Adults
PO 40 mg within 3 h prior to induction of anesthesia.
Prevention of Chemotherapy–Induced Nausea and Vomiting
PO 125 mg 1 h prior to chemotherapy treatment on day 1 and 80 mg/day in the morning on days 2 and 3. Administer in combination with a corticosteroid and 5-HT 3 antagonist.
Use with caution in Moderate to severely decreased liver function.
Child Dose
Capsule: Aged <12 years and weight <30 kg: Safety and efficacy not established
Contraindication
Coadministration of astemizole, cisapride, pimozide, or terfenadine; hypersensitivity to any component of the product.
Mode of Action
Aprepitant is an antiemetic which acts as a substance P/neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist. It also enhances antiemetic activity of 5HT3 antagonists and corticosteroid.
Precaution
This medicine could make hormonal contraceptives, eg the pill, mini-pill or patch less effective at preventing pregnancy. If you are using hormonal contraceptives, you should use an extra back-up method of contraception, eg condoms, to prevent pregnancy, both during treatment with this medicine and for two months after the last dose.
Lactation: It is not known whether this drug is excreted in milk. 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.
Side Effect
>10% (only seen in CINV)
Headache,Asthenia/fatigue,Anorexia,Constipation,Diarrhea,Nausea,Alopecia,Hiccups
1-10% (selected)
Dizziness,Insomnia,Bradycardia,Hypotension,Pharyngolargeal pain,Mucosal inflammation,Stomatitis,Dyspepsia,Anemia,Neutropenia,Hot flash,Pruritus,Dehydration,Fever
Pregnancy Category Note
Pregnancy
Insufficient data on use in pregnant women to inform a drug associated risk; in animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects observed in rats or rabbits exposed during period of organogenesis to systemic drug levels (AUC) ~1.5 times adult human exposure at 125-mg/80-mg/80-mg regimen
Avoid use of aprepitant IV emulsion in pregnant women due to the alcohol content
Coadministration with aprepitant may reduce the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives; advise females of reproductive potential using hormonal contraceptives to use an effective alternative or back-up non-hormonal contraceptive (such as condoms or spermicides) during treatment and for 1 month following the last dose of aprepitant IV emulsion or oral aprepitant, whichever is administered last
Lactation
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in milk. 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
Interaction
Concurrent use with CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. clarithromycin, troleandomycin, diltiazem, verapamil, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, ritonavir, nelfinavir) may lead to increased plasma levels of Aprepitant; concurrent use with CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampicin, primidone, phenobarbital) may lead to reduced efficacy of Aprepitant. May decrease concentrations of CYP2C9 substrates e.g. phenytoin, tolbutamide, warfarin. May increase plasma levels of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone. May increase plasma levels of benzodiazepine (e.g. midazolam, diazepam, alprazolam).
Serum concentrations of colchicine may increase with Aprepitant. May increase toxicity of chemotherapy drug metabolised by CYP3A4 e.g. docetaxel, etoposide, ifosfamide, imatinib, paclitaxel, vincristine, vinblastin. May increase levels of ergot derivatives resulting in ergotism. May reduce efficacy of oral contraceptives, use additional methods of contraception during treatment and for at least 1 mth following the last dose of Aprepitant.
Potentially Fatal: May result in increased serum levels of astemizole, cisapride, pimozide and terfenadine which can lead to life-threatening torsade de pointes arrhythmias.