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|Emend

Emend

Emend is used for:

Preventing nausea and vomiting associated with repeat courses of certain cancer drug therapy (chemotherapy). It is used in combination with other medicines. It is also used to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Emend is an antiemetic. It works by blocking a body chemical, which then helps you stop vomiting.

Do NOT use Emend if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Emend
• you are taking astemizole, cisapride, pimozide, or terfenadine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Emend :

Some medical conditions may interact with Emend . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have severe liver problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Emend . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), diltiazem, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), macrolide antibiotics (eg, clarithromycin), or nefazodone because they may increase the risk of Emend "s side effects
• Carbamazepine or rifampin because they may decrease Emend "s effectiveness
• Benzodiazepines (eg, alprazolam), certain chemotherapy medicines (eg, paclitaxel), cisapride, corticosteroids (eg, dexamethasone), H₁ antagonists (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), or pimozide because the risk of side effects may be increased by Emend
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), oral contraceptives (eg, norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol), phenytoin, or tolbutamide because their effectiveness may be decreased by Emend

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Emend may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Emend :

Use Emend as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Emend by mouth with or without food.
• Emend comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Emend refilled.
• The first dose is usually taken 1 hour before chemotherapy treatment. On the following days, Emend is taken usually once daily in the morning, or as directed by your doctor. It is important to follow your doctor"s instructions for the timing of each dose and for the length of treatment.
• Do not take Emend if you are already experiencing nausea and vomiting.
• If you miss a dose of Emend , contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Emend .

Important safety information:

• Emend may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Emend ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Emend may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, be sure to use an extra form of birth control while using Emend .
• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and white blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Emend . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Emend with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Emend while you are pregnant. It is not known if Emend is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Emend .

Possible side effects of Emend :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; hiccups; loss of appetite; nausea; tiredness; upset stomach; weakness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fast heartbeat; fever; sore throat.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include drowsiness; headache.

Store Emend at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Emend out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Emend , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Emend is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Emend . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.