INTRODUCTION

APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE contains Aprepitant which belongs to the group of medicines called Antiemetics. It is used with other medicines that treat nausea and vomiting in patients 12 years of age and older to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by certain anti-cancer (chemotherapy) medicines (Ex. cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin or epirubicin).

Before taking APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE, inform your doctor if you have liver problem or if you are taking any medicines to treat psychiatric illnesses (Ex. pimozide), hay fever or allergies (Ex. terfenadine, astemizole) or digestive problems (Ex. cisapride).

APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women, unless your doctor finds it clearly necessary. APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (under 12 years of age) so, consult your child’s doctor for advice.

APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged more than 65 years). The most common side effects of taking APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE are constipation, indigestion, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, hiccups, etc. Consult your physician if any of the symptoms get worse over time.

USES OF APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE

• Used in patients 12 years of age and older to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by certain anti-cancer (chemotherapy) medicines (Ex. cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin or epirubicin)

HOW APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE WORKS

APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE works by blocking signals to a specific area in the brain that controls nausea and vomiting, thereby reducing or preventing nausea and vomiting.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Always take APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE as directed by your physician. Swallow the medicine with plenty of water and do not crush or chew it. It can be taken with or without food. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE treatment depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea or Vomiting:

Take APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE with or just after meals. Stick to simple meals. Try to avoid oil rich or spicy foods, sugary snacks and aerated drinks. Avoid drinking too much liquid or water along with your meals and slowly drink in between meals. If symptom persists, contact your doctor.

Dizziness:

Lie or sit down immediately when you feel dizzy. If you have a spinning sensation, lie in a dark and quite place with eyes closed. Try to avoid vehicle driving. If symptom persists, contact your doctor.

Headache:

Apply hot or cold-water bag on your head and massage your head gently. Try to rest and relax in a quiet and dark room. Avoid the consuming excessive alcohol, as it could worsen your headache. If symptom persists, contact your doctor.

Skin rash:

Avoid hot showers as it can further irritate your skin. Do not scratch the affected area. Use protective clothing when going outdoors. Regularly moisturize your skin. If symptom persists, contact your doctor.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY

APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless clearly necessary. Discuss suitable birth control methods with your doctor. Consult your doctor before taking it.

BREASTFEEDING

Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE as it is not known whether this medicine is excreted in human milk. Consult your doctor before taking it.

DRIVING AND USING MACHINES

Do not drive or operate any machines if you feel dizzy or sleepy after taking APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE.

LIVER

APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE should be taken with caution in patients with liver disease. Consult your doctor before taking it.

ALLERGY

Do not take APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE if you are allergic to Aprepitant or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug - Drug interactions:

Before taking APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• birth control medicines including skin patches, implants and certain Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• medicines used to suppress immunity (Ex. cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus, everolimus)
• medicines used to treat pain (Ex. alfentanil, fentanyl)
• quinidine (used to treat an irregular heartbeat)
• medicines used in cancer treatment (Ex. irinotecan, etoposide, vinorelbine, ifosfamide)
• medicines used for treating migraine (Ex. ergotamine, diergotamine)
• medicines used to thin blood (Ex. warfarin, acenocoumarol)
• medicines used to treat infections (Ex. rifampicin, clarithromycin, telithromycin)
• medicines used to treat fits (Ex. phenytoin, carbamazepine)
• medicines used to produce calmness or help you sleep (midazolam, triazolam, phenobarbital, alprazolam)
• medicines used for depression (Ex. nefazodone, St. John’s Wort)
• medicines used to treat HIV (Ex. atazanavir, darunavir)
• medicines used to treat fungal infections (Ex. ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole)
• medicines used to treat inflammatory conditions (Ex. dexamethasone, methylprednisolone)
• tolbutamide (used to treat diabetes)
• pimozide (used to treat psychiatric illnesses)
• medicines used for hay fever and other allergic conditions (Ex. terfenadine, astemizole)
• cisapride (used for treating digestive problems)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally took too much of APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE overdose are drowsiness and headache.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE out of reach of children
• Store APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE at 20-25°C

FAQs ABOUT APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE

Can APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE be taken during pregnancy?

APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in pregnancy. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning for a child, consult your doctor before taking it. Discuss suitable birth control methods with your doctor.

Is APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE suitable for children?

APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE is not advised for use in children (under 12 years of age). Consult your child’s doctor for advice. The doctor will determine a suitable dose or select a suitable alternative treatment for your child.

What if I miss to take a dose of APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE?

Please stick to the prescribed schedule as agreed with your doctor for optimal efficacy of APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE treatment. Call your doctor whenever you forget to take any dose.

Can I stop taking APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE on my own?

Continue taking APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE until your doctor tells you to stop, unless you experience any unwanted effects, worsening of your condition or any new symptoms. Call your doctor in such case.

Can I take other medicines with APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE?

Before taking APRELIEF 125MG CAPSULE, inform your doctor if you are taking, have taken or might take any other medicine, including prescription, over the counter or any herbal medicine, as these might cause serious side effects by interacting with each other.

REFERENCES

1. KD. Tripathi. Anti-emetic, Prokinetic and Digestant Drugs. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. Eighth edition. 2019. Page – 718.

2. Wang DS, Hu MT, Wang ZQ, et al. Effect of Aprepitant for the Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. Pubmed.gov. October 1987. [Accessed on 29th November 2022]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8035650/

3. Qiu, Tingting; Men, Peng; Xu, Xiaohan; Zhai, Suodi; Cui, Xiangli. Antiemetic regimen with aprepitant in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. August 2020. [Accessed on 29th November 2022]. https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2020/08140/antiemetic_regimen_with_aprepitant_in_the.40.aspx

4. Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in April 2021] [Accessed on 29th November 2022]. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.8227.pdf

5. Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. EMEND (aprepitant) capsules. [Revised in May 2022] [Accessed on 29th November 2022]. https://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/e/emend/emend_pi.pdf

AUTHOR DETAILS

Written By Dr. Jeenal Rajani, Pharm.D.
Last updated on 29 Nov 2022 | 04:10 PM(IST)