Patient Leaflet Updated 30-Nov-2022 | Merck Sharp & Dohme (UK) Limited
Emend Hard Capsules
EMEND® 125 mg hard capsules
EMEND® 80 mg hard capsules
aprepitant
1. What EMEND is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take or give EMEND
3. How to take EMEND
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store EMEND
6. Contents of the pack and other information
EMEND contains the active substance aprepitant and belongs to a group of medicines called “neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonists”. The brain has a specific area that controls nausea and vomiting. EMEND works by blocking signals to that area, thereby reducing nausea and vomiting. EMEND capsules are used in adults and adolescents from the age of 12 years in combination with other medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy (cancer treatment) that are strong and moderate triggers of nausea and vomiting (such as cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin or epirubicin).
Talk to the doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before you take EMEND or give this medicine to the child.
Before treatment with EMEND, tell the doctor if you or the child have liver disease because the liver is important in breaking down the medicine in the body. The doctor may therefore have to monitor the condition of your or the child’s liver.
Do not give EMEND 80 mg and 125 mg capsules to children under 12 years of age, because the 80 mg and 125 mg capsules have not been studied in this population.
EMEND can affect other medicines both during and after treatment with EMEND. There are some medicines that should not be taken with EMEND (such as pimozide, terfenadine, astemizole, and cisapride) or that require a dose adjustment (see also ‘Do not take EMEND’).
The effects of EMEND or other medicines might be influenced if you or the child take EMEND together with other medicines including those listed below. Please talk to the doctor or pharmacist if you or the child is taking any of the following medicines:
Tell the doctor or pharmacist if you or the child are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines.
This medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. If you or the child are pregnant or breast-feeding, may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask the doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
For information regarding birth control, see ‘Other medicines and EMEND’.
It is not known whether EMEND is excreted in human milk; therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment with this medicine. It is important to tell the doctor if you or the child are breast-feeding or are planning to breast-feed before taking this medicine.
It should be taken into account that some people feel dizzy and sleepy after taking EMEND. If you or the child feels dizzy or sleepy, avoid driving, riding a bicycle or using machines or tools after taking this medicine (see ‘Possible side effects’).
EMEND capsules contain sucrose. If you or the child have been told by your doctor that you or the child have an intolerance to some sugars, contact the doctor before taking this medicine.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
Always take this medicine or give this medicine to the child exactly as the doctor, pharmacist or nurse has told you. You should check with the doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure. Always take EMEND together with other medicines, to prevent nausea and vomiting. After treatment with EMEND, the doctor may ask you or the child to continue taking other medicines including a corticosteroid (such as dexamethasone) and a ‘5HT3 antagonist’ (such as ondansetron) for preventing nausea and vomiting. Check with the doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.
The recommended oral dose of EMEND is:
Day 1:
and
Days 2 and 3:
EMEND can be taken with or without food.
Swallow the capsule whole with some liquid.
Do not take more capsules than the doctor recommends. If you or the child has taken too many capsules, contact your doctor immediately.
If you or the child has missed a dose, contact your doctor for advice.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask the doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Other side effects that have been reported are listed below.
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) are:
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) are:
Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) are:
If you or the child gets any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.
Do not remove the capsule from its blister until you are ready to take it.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
The 125 mg hard capsule is opaque with a white body and pink cap with “462” and “125 mg” printed radially in black ink on the body.
The 80 mg hard capsule is opaque with a white cap and body with “461” and “80 mg” printed radially in black ink on the body.
EMEND 125 mg and 80 mg hard capsules are supplied in the following pack sizes:
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Manufacturer:
For any information about this medicine, please contact:
This leaflet was last revised in September 2022.
© 2022 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved.
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