palonosetron

pal-oh-NOE-se-tron

Pharmacologic Class: Serotonin Receptor Antagonist, 5-HT3

Uses For palonosetron

Palonosetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that is caused by cancer therapy. It works by blocking a hormone (serotonin) that causes vomiting.

palonosetron is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using palonosetron

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For palonosetron, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to palonosetron or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of palonosetron in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of palonosetron in the elderly.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Using palonosetron with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Apomorphine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper Use of palonosetron

Take palonosetron only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Palonosetron can be taken with or without food.

Dosing

The dose of palonosetron will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of palonosetron. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (capsules):
  
  • For prevention of nausea and vomiting:
    
    • Adults—0.5 milligram (mg) taken one hour before the start of cancer therapy.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using palonosetron

Check with your doctor if severe nausea and vomiting continue after leaving the hospital or cancer treatment center.

palonosetron Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Bloody nose


• blurred vision


• chest pain


• chills


• difficult or labored breathing


• dizziness


• fainting


• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat


• fever


• headache


• nausea and vomiting


• nervousness


• pale skin


• pounding in the ears


• pounding, slow heartbeat


• shortness of breath


• swelling of the eye


• tightness in the chest


• troubled breathing with exertion


• unusual bleeding or bruising


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

Rare

• Burning feeling in the chest or stomach


• change in taste


• cough


• difficulty in moving


• flushing, or redness of the skin


• hair loss or thinning of hair


• indigestion


• itching skin


• joint pain


• loss of appetite


• loss of taste


• muscle aching or cramping


• muscle pains or stiffness


• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones


• sleeplessness


• stomach upset


• stuffy or runny nose


• swollen joints


• tenderness in the stomach area


• trouble sleeping


• unable to sleep


• unusually warm skin


• weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: palonosetron side effects (in more detail)

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More palonosetron resources

• Palonosetron Side Effects (in more detail)
• Palonosetron Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Palonosetron Drug Interactions
• Palonosetron Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Palonosetron - Add your own review/rating

• Palonosetron MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Aloxi Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Aloxi Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Aloxi Consumer Overview

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