What is Rolapitant?
Rolapitant can be used in conjunction with other medications to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or cancer. This medication guide does not list all possible uses for Rolapitant.
Side effects of Rolapitant
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, hives or swelling to face lips throat etc, seek medical assistance immediately: difficulty in taking deep breaths; swelling to lips face throat etc
Rolapitant may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Pain or burning after urinating;
- Low red blood cells (anemia): pale skin, unusual fatigue, feeling lightheaded or short of breath, cold hands or feet;
- Low white blood cell counts; fever; swollen or painful gums; skin sores; and cold symptoms Cough.
Rolapitant may cause the following side effects:
- Low blood cell count
- Painful urination
- Mouth sores;
- Hiccups;
- Dizziness;
- Stomach pain, indigestion, and loss of appetite.
There may be other side effects.Call your doctor if experiencing side effects; otherwise contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 and report side effects directly.
Warnings
Inform your physician of all medications taken, both current and new ones. Some drugs are not to be taken together, and others can cause drug interactions.
Before you take this drug
Rolapitant can have dangerous or unwanted effects when combined with some medicines. If you are also using:
- Pimozide;
- Thioridazine.
Anyone younger than 2 years of age is not allowed to use rolapitant.
Inform your physician of any of the following issues:
- Liver disease
- If you are taking a blood thinner, such as warfarin, and have regular "inr" tests or prothrombin times,
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. Rolapitant can affect your fertility (ability to have children) temporarily.
How to take Rolapitant?
Carefully read all instructions or guides included with your medication and follow their directions exactly. Follow the directions on the label. On the first day of chemotherapy, you will usually receive Rolapitant. Rolapitant can be taken with or without food. Take rolapitant no more than once a week. Other medications will be prescribed to you by your doctor to treat nausea or vomiting. Continue to use these medications as prescribed by your doctor. Store away from moisture or heat at room temperature. Store each tablet in its foil blister until you're ready to use the medicine.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for nausea or vomiting: induced by chemotherapy
Oral: 180mg orally 2 hours before the start of chemotherapy Day 1.
Parenteral: 166.5mg via intravenous infusion (over 30 min) 2 hours before the start of chemotherapy Day 1.
ADDITIONAL MEDICATIONS
Highly Emetogenic Cancer Chemotherapy:
Day 1: dexamethasone 30 mg orally, 30 minutes before chemotherapy; 5-HT3 inhibitor per treatment guideline
Days two to four: oral dexamethasone, 8 mg twice a day
MEC (Moderately Emetogenic Cancer Treatment):
Day 1: Dexamethasone oral, 20 mg, 30 minutes before chemotherapy. 5-HT3 antagonist as per treatment guidelines
Comments:
Additional 5-HT3 antagonist dosages can be given according to the treatment plan and manufacturer's guidelines.
The manufacturer's product information will provide the appropriate dosage information for these medications.
This dose should be administered at the start of chemotherapy and no less than two weeks apart.
Use: As a combination with other antiemetic drugs to prevent delayed nausea and vomiting that may occur with the initial and repeated courses of chemotherapy, which includes HEC.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you forgot to take your tablets at the right time before chemotherapy, call your doctor. It is crucial that you take your rolapitant at the right time for it to work.
What happens if I overdose?
Reach out immediately if a poison incident arises - call the Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222, for immediate medical intervention and/or seek the appropriate assistance immediately.
What should be avoided?
Avoid using any cold or cough medicine that contains dextromethorphan for at least one month after taking rolapitant. Speak to your doctor to find out how to treat a cough caused by the common flu.
Interaction with other drug
Rolapitant can affect the other medications you take for at least 28 days following its use. It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, which can increase side effects and make them less effective. Several drugs interact with rolapitants and should not be taken together. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you have stopped using. Included are prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible interactions.
