Aprepitant

Aprepitant is a medication that is commonly used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting due to surgery or chemotherapy. When taken an hour before chemotherapy or within three hours before surgery, the drug can significantly reduce the chance of nausea and vomiting. Aprepitant is available by prescription and comes in capsule form. Potential side effects of aprepitant may include fatigue, heartburn, and diarrhea.

 

What Is Aprepitant?

Aprepitant (Emend®) is a prescription medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting due to the following causes:
 
  • Chemotherapy
  • Surgery.
     
When used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, aprepitant is always used in combination with other nausea and vomiting medications. Aprepitant is not intended to treat nausea and vomiting once it starts.
 
(Click What Is Aprepitant Used For? for more information on aprepitant uses, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Aprepitant Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with aprepitant. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects of aprepitant include, but are not limited to:
 
(Click Side Effects of Aprepitant to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 
(Aprepitant Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;