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EMEND®
(EE mend)
(aprepitant) Capsules

Read the Patient Information that comes with EMEND (aprepitant capsules) before you start taking it and each time you refill your prescription. There may be new information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What is EMEND (aprepitant capsules) ?

EMEND (aprepitant capsules) is a prescription medicine used in adults to prevent nausea and vomiting:

• caused by certain anti-cancer (chemotherapy) medicines. When used for this purpose, EMEND (aprepitant capsules) is always used with other medicines.
• after surgery. EMEND (aprepitant capsules) is not used to treat nausea and vomiting that you already have.

EMEND (aprepitant capsules) should not be used continuously for a long time (chronic use).

It is not known if EMEND (aprepitant capsules) is safe and effective in children.

Who should not take EMEND (aprepitant capsules) ?

Do not take EMEND (aprepitant capsules) if you:

• are taking any of the following medicines:
  • ORAP® (pimozide)
  • SELDANE® (terfenadine)
  • HISMANAL® (astemizole)
  • PROPULSID® (cisapride)

Taking EMEND (aprepitant capsules) with any of these medicines could cause serious or life-threatening problems.

• are allergic to any of the ingredients in EMEND (aprepitant capsules) . See the end of this leaflet for a list of all the ingredients in EMEND (aprepitant capsules) .

What should I tell my doctor before and during treatment with EMEND (aprepitant capsules) ?

Before you take EMEND (aprepitant capsules) , tell your doctor if you:

• have liver problems
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if EMEND (aprepitant capsules) can harm your unborn baby.
  Women who use birth control medicines containing hormones to prevent pregnancy (birth control pills, skin patches, implants, and certain IUDs) should also use a back-up method of birth control during treatment with EMEND (aprepitant capsules) and for up to 1 month after using EMEND (aprepitant capsules) to prevent pregnancy.
• are breast-feeding. It is not known if EMEND (aprepitant capsules) passes into your milk and if it can harm your baby.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking or plan to take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

EMEND (aprepitant capsules) may cause serious life-threatening reactions if used with certain medicines. See the section “Who should not take EMEND (aprepitant capsules) ?”

EMEND (aprepitant capsules) may affect how other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how EMEND (aprepitant capsules) works. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before you take any new medicine. They can tell you if it is safe to take the medicine with EMEND (aprepitant capsules) .

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I take EMEND (aprepitant capsules) ?

• Take EMEND (aprepitant capsules) exactly as prescribed.
• If you take too much EMEND (aprepitant capsules) , call your doctor, local emergency department or poison control center right away.
• If you are receiving cancer chemotherapy, EMEND (aprepitant capsules) is taken as 3 doses over 3 days - starting on the day you have chemotherapy, and the two days after chemotherapy. There are two ways that your doctor may prescribe EMEND (aprepitant capsules) for you:

1. Capsules of EMEND (aprepitant capsules) by mouth for all 3 doses:
   • You should get a package that has three capsules of EMEND (aprepitant capsules) .
   • Day 1 (Day of chemotherapy): Take one 125-mg capsule of EMEND (aprepitant capsules) (white and pink) by mouth 1 hour before you start your chemotherapy treatment;
   • Day 2 and Day 3 (the two days after chemotherapy): Take one 80-mg capsule of EMEND (aprepitant capsules) (white) by mouth, each morning for the 2 days after your chemotherapy treatment.
     Or
2. Intravenous (IV) injection into a vein the first day, then capsules by mouth on the two days after chemotherapy:
   • Day 1 (Day of chemotherapy): EMEND (aprepitant capsules) will be given to you by intravenous (IV) injection in your vein 30 minutes before you start your chemotherapy treatment.
   • You should get a package that has two capsules of EMEND (aprepitant capsules) .
   • Day 2 and Day 3 (the two days after chemotherapy): Take one 80-mg capsule of EMEND (aprepitant capsules) (white) by mouth, each morning for the 2 days after your chemotherapy treatment.

If you are receiving chemotherapy, EMEND (aprepitant capsules) may be taken with or without food.

If you are having surgery:

• Your doctor will prescribe a 40-mg capsule of EMEND (aprepitant capsules) for you before surgery. You take EMEND (aprepitant capsules) within three hours before surgery.
• Follow your doctor's instructions about restrictions on eating and drinking before surgery.

If you take the blood thinner medicine warfarin sodium (COUMADIN®, JANTOVEN®), your doctor may do blood tests after you take EMEND (aprepitant capsules) to check your blood clotting.

What are the possible side effects of EMEND (aprepitant capsules) ?

EMEND (aprepitant capsules) may cause serious side effects, including:

• Serious allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can happen with EMEND (aprepitant capsules) and may be serious. Stop taking EMEND (aprepitant capsules) and call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction:
  • hives
  • rash
  • itching
  • trouble breathing or swallowing.

In people taking EMEND (aprepitant capsules) to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, the most common side effects of EMEND (aprepitant capsules) include:

• tiredness
• nausea
• hiccups
• constipation
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• headache
• hair loss

In people taking EMEND (aprepitant capsules) to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery, the most common side effects are:

• constipation
• nausea
• itch
• fever
• low blood pressure
• headache

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of EMEND (aprepitant capsules) . For more information ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA1088.

How should I store EMEND (aprepitant capsules) ?

• Store EMEND (aprepitant capsules) at room temperature, between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).
• Keep EMEND (aprepitant capsules) and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about EMEND (aprepitant capsules)

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not use EMEND (aprepitant capsules) for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give EMEND (aprepitant capsules) to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.

This Patient Information leaflet summarizes the most important information about EMEND (aprepitant capsules) . If you would like to know more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about EMEND (aprepitant capsules) that is written for health professionals. For more information about EMEND (aprepitant capsules) call 1-800-622-4477 or go to www.emend (aprepitant capsules) .com.

What are the ingredients in EMEND?

Active ingredient: aprepitant

Inactive ingredients: sucrose, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and sodium lauryl sulfate. The capsule shell excipients are gelatin, titanium dioxide, and may contain sodium lauryl sulfate and silicon dioxide. The 125-mg capsule shell also contains red ferric oxide and yellow ferric oxide. The 40-mg capsule shell also contains yellow ferric oxide.

Last reviewed on RxList: 4/12/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.