What is Akynzeo?
Akynzeo is a mixture of netupitant and palonosetron.
Akynzeo is used to stop vomiting and nausea due to chemotherapy. The medicine is administered with a steroid known as dexamethasone.
Akynzeo helps to prevent vomiting as well as vomiting that can occur in chemotherapy and later (delayed nausea and vomiting).
Warnings
Before taking Akynzeo, consult your physician, whether you are pregnant or are planning to be pregnant. Palonosetron and netupitant may affect your unborn baby. Be sure to inform your doctor if you are currently breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. The doctor and you will determine if you should use Akynzeo or feed your baby. It is not recommended to do both.
Follow all the instructions on your prescription label and in the package. Be sure to inform your health care providers about your medical issues, allergies, and any other medications you are taking.
Before You Take This Drug
Akynzeo is not permitted for use by anyone less than 18 years old.
To ensure that this medication is appropriate for you, inform your doctor if you've previously had:
- Kidney or liver disease,
- The allergic response to medication to treat nausea or vomiting like dolasetron (Anzemet), ondansetron (Zofran), and palonosetron (Aloxi).
- Check with your physician whether you are also taking stimulant medications, opioid medicines, herbal products, or medications that treat depression or mental illness, such as Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, or other serious infections. These medications may be incompatible with palonosetron and netupitant and trigger a severe condition called serotonin disorder.
Palonosetron and Netupitant may cause harm to a baby who is not yet born. Consult with your doctor if you fall pregnant. It is not recommended to breastfeed during the course of this medication.
How to Take Akynzeo?
Use Akynzeo exactly as directed by your physician. Follow all instructions on the prescription label and go through all the medication guides or instruction sheets.
Akynzeo is prescribed prior to use and does not treat vomiting or nausea that you already suffer from. Around 1 hour prior to chemotherapy, you'll be taking Akynzeo either with food or without.
You'll take dexamethasone for 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy, and you might need to take it for three days following the treatment. Follow the dosing guidelines of your doctor extremely carefully. Keep the capsules at a cool, dry temperature, away from heat and moisture.
Details on Dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Nausea and Vomiting -- Chemotherapy Induced:
Netupitant 300 mg of palonosetron 0.5 mg once orally at 60 minutes prior to chemotherapy on Day 1.:
Highly Emetogenic Cancer Chemotherapy, Including Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy:
Day one: Dexamethasone 120 mg taken orally for 30 minutes prior to the start of chemotherapy
Days 2 through 4 Day 2: Dexamethasone, 8 mg daily, orally
Anthracyclines, Cyclophosphamide-Based Chemotherapy, and Chemotherapy Not Considered Highly Emetogenic:
Day 1. Dexamethasone 120 mg taken orally for 30 minutes prior to the start of chemotherapy
Use: When combined with dexamethasone to prevent the occurrence of nausea and vomiting that is delayed or acute and vomiting that is associated with the first and subsequent chemotherapy for cancer, including extremely emetogenic chemotherapy
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
Contact your doctor for advice in case you've not taken Akynzeo in the proper dosage prior to chemotherapy.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What Should be Avoided?
Follow the doctor's advice regarding any restrictions on your food, drink, or activities.
Side Effects of Akynzeo
Get immediate medical attention. If you show symptoms of an allergic reaction, Akynzeo: hives and chest pains difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or face
You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms of serotonin syndrome, for example, agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, high heart rate, muscle stiffness, or twitching. Also, you may experience loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Headache.
- Being tired or weak.
- Skin redness.
- Upset stomach, Constipation.
This isn't a complete list of all the side effects. Others could happen. Contact your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with Other Drugs
There are times when it's not recommended to use certain medicines simultaneously. Certain medications can alter the blood levels and the other drugs that you take, which can cause more side effects or make the medication less effective.
A variety of drugs may interact with palonosetron and netupitant. Not all interactions are included in this list. Discuss with your physician all the medications you are currently taking as well as any new medications you are about to start or stop taking.
