palonosetron
Pronunciation: pa low NO seh tron Brand: Aloxi What is the most important information I should know about palonosetron?
Do not take palonosetron without first talking to your doctor if you have heart problems or if you take other medicines. Palonosetron can affect the way that the heart beats, which can be dangerous.
What is palonosetron?
Palonosetron blocks the actions of chemicals in the body that may cause nausea and vomiting.
Palonosetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.
Palonosetron may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking palonosetron?
Do not take palonosetron without first talking to your doctor if you:
- have an allergy or sensitivity to other similar medicines such as dolasetron (Anzemet), granisetron (Kytril), or ondansetron (Zofran);
- have low levels of potassium in the blood;
- have low levels of magnesium in the blood;
- are taking a diuretic (water pill);
- have a history of congenital QT syndrome; or
- are taking a medicine to treat an irregular heartbeat.
Palonosetron may affect the heart, especially if you have any of the conditions or are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Palonosetron is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take palonosetron without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether palonosetron passes into breast milk. Do not take palonosetron without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. How should I take palonosetron?
Palonosetron is administered as an intravenous (into a vein) injection by a healthcare provider. If you are administering palonosetron at home, your doctor will give you detailed instructions regarding administration and storage.
Palonosetron is injected prior to administration of chemotherapy that may cause nausea or vomiting.
If you are injecting palonosetron at home, do not use any medication that is discolored, has particles in it, or appears different from previous doses of the medication.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Palonosetron is intended to be used before administration of chemotherapy. Use of palonosetron during or following chemotherapy may not be effective. Contact your healthcare provider if a dose of palonosetron is missed.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of a palonosetron overdose are not well known but might include seizures, difficulty breathing, pale or blue colored skin, and collapse.
What should I avoid while taking palonosetron?
There are no restrictions on foods, beverages, or activities during treatment with palonosetron unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What are the possible side effects of palonosetron?
If you experience any of the following uncommon but serious side effects, stop taking palonosetron and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
- irregular heartbeats.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take palonosetron and talk to your doctor if you experience
- headache;
- fatigue or dizziness;
- constipation; or
- diarrhea.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect palonosetron?
Do not take palonosetron without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- a diuretic (water pill) such as furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), torsemide (Demadex), chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Esidrix, Microzide, Oretic), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium), and others; or
- a medicine to treat irregular heartbeats such as amiodarone (Cordarone), bepridil (Vascor), disopyramide (Norpace), sotalol (Betapace), and others.
You may not be able to take palonosetron, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with palonosetron. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, during treatment with palonosetron.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist has more information about palonosetron written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Palonosetron is available with a prescription under the brand name Aloxi as a solution for intravenous injection. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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