INTRODUCTION

APRECAP 150MG INJECTION contains Fosaprepitant which belongs to the group of medicines called Antiemetics. It is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused due to chemotherapy. It is mostly used in combination with other medicines and when the treatment with cancer medicines has a strong or moderate potential to trigger nausea and vomiting.

APRECAP 150MG INJECTION should be used under careful medical supervision. It is suitable for use in adults, adolescents and in children (aged 6 months or older).

Before receiving APRECAP 150MG INJECTION, inform your doctor if you are allergic to aprepitant or fosaprepitant or have any liver problems. It should not be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women unless considered necessary by the physician.

Women of childbearing age must consult their doctor for a suitable birth control method to avoid pregnancy while undergoing therapy with this medicine. The most common side effects of receiving APRECAP 150MG INJECTION are constipation, indigestion, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, hiccups and pain, redness, swelling or inflammation at the site of injection. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect worsens.

USES OF APRECAP 150MG INJECTION

• Prevents nausea and vomiting caused due to chemotherapy

HOW APRECAP 150MG INJECTION WORKS

APRECAP 150MG INJECTION is an antiemetic medicine. It works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals between the vomiting centres and the brain. This prevents the onset of vomiting among patients who undergo chemotherapy.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

APRECAP 150MG INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse into the vein (intravenously). Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF APRECAP 150MG INJECTION

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Constipation

Eat plenty of fiber rich foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and cereals. Drink plenty of fluids. Exercise more regularly. Consult your doctor if this side effect bothers you.

Dizziness Or Drowsiness

Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling dizzy. Consult your doctor if your dizziness worsens.

Headache

Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your headache. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.

Injection Site Reactions

Place an ice pack on the injected site. Do not move the affected area frequently. If the symptom worsens, consult your doctor.

Nausea And Vomiting

Stick to simple meals and avoid oil rich or spicy foods. Consult your doctor if nausea worsens.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY

Contraindicated

APRECAP 150MG INJECTION should not be used in pregnant women unless considered necessary by the physician. Therefore, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant before receiving APRECAP 150MG INJECTION. Women of childbearing age must consult their doctor for a suitable birth control method to avoid pregnancy while undergoing therapy with this medicine.

BREASTFEEDING

Contraindicated

It is not whether APRECAP 150MG INJECTION is excreted through breast milk. Therefore, it is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor for advice.

DRIVING AND USING MACHINES

Use with Caution

APRECAP 150MG INJECTION may cause dizziness and sleepiness. Therefore, do not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if your ability is affected by this medicine.

ALCOHOL

Consult your doctor

Avoid consumption of alcohol before receiving APRECAP 150MG INJECTION.

LIVER

Use with Caution

APRECAP 150MG INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Therefore, inform your doctor before receiving it.

ALLERGY

Contraindicated

Inform your doctor before receiving APRECAP 150MG INJECTION if you are allergic to Fosaprepitant or aprepitant.

USE IN PEDIATRICS

Consult your doctor

APRECAP 150MG INJECTION should be used with caution in children and adolescents (aged 6 months or older). It is not recommended for use in babies aged below 6 months and in babies with body weight less than 6 kg due to lack of safety data. Therefore, consult your doctor before administration.

USE IN GERIATRICS

Use with Caution

APRECAP 150MG INJECTION should be used with caution in elderly patients. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug - Drug interactions:

Before receiving APRECAP 150MG INJECTION, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• pimozide (a medicine used to treat psychiatric conditions)
• medicines used to treat hay fever (such as terfenadine and astemizole)
• cisapride (a medicine used to treat digestive problems)
• certain birth control pills and Intrauterine devices may not work adequately, therefore, consult your doctor
• medicines used to suppress immune function (such as ciclosporin, tacrolimus, sirolimus, everolimus)
• medicines used for pain management (such as alfentanil, fentanyl)
• quinidine (used to treat an irregular heartbeat)
• medicines used to treat cancer (such as irinotecan, etoposide, vinorelbine, ifosfamide)
• ergot alkaloid derivatives (used for migraine headache) such as ergotamine and diergotamine
• medicines used for blood thinning (such as warfarin, acenocoumarol)
• medicines used to treat bacterial infections (such as rifampicin, clarithromycin, telithromycin)
• medicines used to treat epilepsy (such as phenytoin, carbamazepine)
• medicines used to induce calmness and sleep (Ex. alprazolam, midazolam, triazolam, phenobarbital)
• St. John’s Wort (an herbal preparation used to treat depression)
• medicines used to treat HIV infections (such as ritonavir, nelfinavir etc.)
• medicines used to treat fungal infection (such as itraconazole, voriconazole, Posaconazole, ketoconazole (except shampoo))
• nefazodone (a medicine used to treat depression)
• diltiazem (a medicine used to treat high blood pressure)
• corticosteroids (such as dexamethasone) used to treat autoimmune conditions
• tolbutamide (a medicine used to treat diabetes)

Overdosage:

APRECAP 150MG INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or nurse in a hospital, and so it is unlikely to receive an overdose. However, contact your doctor if you experience any unusual side effects.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep APRECAP 150MG INJECTION out of reach of children
• Store APRECAP 150MG INJECTION in a refrigerator between 2-8°C

FAQs ABOUT APRECAP 150MG INJECTION

Q: Is APRECAP 150MG INJECTION a chemo drug?

A: No. APRECAP 150MG INJECTION is an antiemetic medicine used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused due to chemotherapy.

Q: What class does APRECAP 150MG INJECTION belongs to?

A: APRECAP 150MG INJECTION belongs to NK1 receptor antagonists which works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals between brain and vomiting centers, thereby reducing vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

Q: Is foraprepitant same as aprepitant?

A: Fosaprepitant is a prodrug of aprepitant. Following administration, fosaprepitant gets converted into the body as aprepitant and exerts its effects.

Q: How long does it take for APRECAP 150MG INJECTION to start working?

A: It may take around 2 days for APRECAP 150MG INJECTION to exert its effects. However, this time period may vary from person-to-person based on the dose administered by the doctor.

Q: What are the common side effects of APRECAP 150MG INJECTION?

A: The most common side effects of receiving APRECAP 150MG INJECTION are constipation, indigestion, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, hiccups and pain, redness, swelling or inflammation at the site of injection. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect worsens.

Q: What is the use of APRECAP 150MG INJECTION?

A: APRECAP 150MG INJECTION is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused due to chemotherapy. It is mostly used in combination with other medicines and when the treatment with cancer medicines has a strong or moderate potential to trigger nausea and vomiting.

Q: How APRECAP 150MG INJECTION controls vomiting?

A: APRECAP 150MG INJECTION works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals between the vomiting centres and the brain. This prevents the onset of vomiting among patients who undergo chemotherapy.

Q: Can APRECAP 150MG INJECTION be used to treat vomiting due to motion sickness?

A: No. APRECAP 150MG INJECTION should only be used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused due to chemotherapy. It should be used under proper medical supervision and not recommended for use in motion sickness.

REFERENCES

1. KD. Tripathi. Antiemetic, Prokinetic and Digestant Drugs. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. 7th Edition. 2013. Page – 670.

2. Semjon Willier, Karin Melanie Cabanillas Stanchi, Martina von Have, Vera Binder, Franziska Blaeschke, Judith Feucht, Tobias Feuchtinger and Michaela Döring. Efficacy, safety and feasibility of fosaprepitant for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in pediatric patients receiving moderately and highly emetogenic chemotherapy – results of a non-interventional observation study. NIH. National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC. PubMed Central. November 2019. [Accessed on 27th January 2023] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6858739/

3. Merck Sharp & Dohme (UK) Limited. IVEMEND® 150 mg powder for solution for infusion. Fosaprepitant. Electronics Medicines Compendium. [Revised in June 2022]. [Accessed on 27th March 2023] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5947.pdf

4. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. EMEND (fosaprepitant) for injection, for intravenous use. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. [Revised in April 2018]. [Accessed on 27th March 2023] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/022023s017lbl.pdf

5. Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. Fosaprepitant (as dimeglumine) for injection 150mg. December 2011. [Accessed on 27th March 2023] https://cdscoonline.gov.in/CDSCO/Drugs

AUTHOR DETAILS

Written By Srilekha. R, B.Pharm
Last updated on 27 Mar 2023 | 05:49 PM(IST)