Emend Helps Chemo-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Emend is in a class of medications called anti-emetics. Your doctor may recommended taking Emend post-operatively to prevent becoming nauseous or vomiting due to the anesthesia. Cancer patients can benefit from taking Emend before or after chemotherapy to prevent acute and delayed sickness that can be caused by chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Acute CINV occurs within the first 24 hours of treatment, while delayed CINV could appear between days 2 to 5 after treatment. Some cancer patients may have both.

How Emend Prevents Nausea and Vomiting

Emend works by blocking the action of neurokinin, a natural substance in the brain that causes nausea and vomiting.The vomiting center in your brain receives messages from the serotonin released in your gut during cancer treatment. Emend or the generic alternative Aprepitant interferes with a certain chemical in your body, called substance P, from attaching to the neurokinin 1 receptor so the vomit message is not received. Emend is taken with a corticosteroid and another anti-nausea drug that works in your gut instead of your brain. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that manufactures the brand product.

Conditions Treated by Emend

Emend is used with other medications to prevent nausea and vomiting that may occur after receiving cancer chemotherapy treatment. The chemo drugs used for cancer are formulated to attack the cancer cells in their different phases and they can cause side effects because of the damage your normal cells are exposed to, which is why your body feels the need to expel the toxins by vomiting.

Some individuals are also prone to nausea and vomiting caused by anesthetics, called post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Without Emend or other nausea meds, you could cause damage to the surgical area and open up any sutures or undo any repairs that have been done, including to your abdomen, stomach, intestines, and so on.

Before You Take Emend

Ask your doctor if Emend could be harmful if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or are breast feeding. List all current prescription and non-prescription medication for your doctor, including herbal and vitamin supplements, as these could affect how Emend will work for you. You may need testing or a dosage adjustment of Emend if you have liver disease.

Precautions for Emend

Emend can decrease the efficacy of certain contraceptives so talk to your doctor about other methods available to prevent pregnancy. You should not take Emend if you also take Pimozide. A serious drug interaction can occur when Pimozide is used together with Emend. Until you know how Emend will affect you, and for how long, do not drive or attempt any task that requires you to be alert.

Possible Side Effects of Emend

• Hair Loss
• Loss of appetite
• Hiccups
• Body aches

Drugs Similar to Emend

• Zofran
• Reglan
• Phenergan