Akynzeo Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Akynzeo is a prescription capsule combining netupitant and palonosetron, used in adults to help prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. It is taken together with the steroid dexamethasone and helps prevent both nausea/vomiting that happens during chemotherapy and delayed symptoms that occur later. Akynzeo is given ahead of time and does not treat nausea or vomiting that has already started.

What is Akynzeo Capsule

Akynzeo is a prescription capsule that combines two medicines, netupitant and palonosetron, used in adults to help prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. It belongs to the drug class known as miscellaneous antiemetics.

Akynzeo Capsule uses

• Prevents nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy
• Helps prevent both nausea/vomiting that happens during chemotherapy and delayed nausea/vomiting that happens later
• Used together with a steroid medicine called dexamethasone

Benefits of Akynzeo Capsule

• Given together with dexamethasone for prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy, including highly emetogenic chemotherapy
• Taken as a single capsule before each chemotherapy cycle

How Akynzeo Capsule works

Akynzeo combines two medicines that work together: palonosetron blocks a chemical called serotonin to stop nausea in the first few hours after chemotherapy, while netupitant blocks another chemical called substance P to prevent nausea and vomiting that can happen hours or days later.

Akynzeo Capsule dosage

Take Akynzeo exactly as prescribed by your doctor and follow all directions on your prescription label. Akynzeo is given ahead of time and will not treat nausea or vomiting you already have. Take it about 1 hour before chemotherapy, with or without food. You will also take dexamethasone before chemotherapy, and may need to keep taking it for a few days afterward — follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Akynzeo is not approved for use in anyone younger than 18 years old. It is best to take it at the same time each treatment cycle.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule
• 300 mg netupitant/0.5 mg palonosetron

Side effects of Akynzeo Capsule

Common

• Headache
• Feeling weak or tired (asthenia)
• Skin redness (erythema)
• Upset stomach, indigestion (dyspepsia)
• Constipation

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives; chest pain, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Symptoms of serotonin syndrome: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Warnings and precautions

• Taking Akynzeo with certain other medicines, such as those for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraines, or serious infections, stimulants, or opioids, can cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
• Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, have happened in people taking palonosetron, one of the ingredients in Akynzeo.
• This medicine can increase levels of other drugs broken down by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4, so it should be used carefully with such medicines, and the dose of dexamethasone should be lowered when taken together with Akynzeo.
• Avoid taking Akynzeo together with strong CYP3A4-inducing medicines like rifampin, because this can make Akynzeo less effective.
• Akynzeo may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• You should not breastfeed while using this medicine. You and your doctor should decide whether you will take Akynzeo or breastfeed, not both.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. This medicine should be avoided in people with severe kidney impairment or end-stage renal disease.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease. This medicine should be avoided in people with severe liver impairment.
• Alcohol may worsen dizziness or nausea and should be discussed with the oncology team.
• Dizziness or fatigue may occur; avoid driving if affected.

Storage

• Store the capsules at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
• Store below 30° C

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; chest pain; difficult breathing; or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, seek emergency medical attention or contact your local poison control center right away.

Alternatives

• Aprepitant + ondansetron
• Fosaprepitant + palonosetron
• Rolapitant-based antiemetic therapy
• Olanzapine-based antiemetic regimens