Emend

Emend is an antiemetic medication.

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Indications Emenda

It is used for monotherapy or complex treatment together with other antiemetic agents to prevent acute and delayed stage vomiting, which develops due to the use of antitumor drugs with varying degrees of emetogenicity.

Release form

The product is produced in the form of capsules of 125 mg, inside blisters. In a box of 1, 2, 4 or 5 and 10 capsules.

Pharmacodynamics

The drug is a selective antagonist of NK-1 and substance P endings with high affinity. It has an effect on the function of the vomiting center, preventing vomiting that occurs as a result of using chemotherapeutic drugs.

Emend penetrates the brain, synthesizing there with NK endings, and prevents the development of acute and delayed stages of vomiting caused by cisplatin. At the same time, the drug potentiates the antiemetic properties of ondansetron and dexamethasone.

Pharmacokinetics

The drug is quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and reaches its peak value in the blood after 3 hours after administration. The bioavailability level of the substance is 60%. Eating food does not have a noticeable effect on bioavailability indicators.

Synthesis with blood protein is high, 95%. The substance passes through the BBB. Biotransformation processes occur by oxidation of the medicinal element inside the liver.

Excretion of metabolic products is carried out through the kidneys and intestines.

Dosing and administration

Emend is taken orally, regardless of meals. The capsules should be taken for 3 days, combining them with GCS, as well as serotonin ending antagonists. With a 3-day regimen of use, the dosage is 125 mg. On the 1st day, it is necessary to take the drug 1 hour before the use of chemotherapeutic agents, and on the 2nd and 3rd days - in the morning at 80 mg.

The regimen for the use of drugs is determined by the degree of emetogenicity of chemotherapeutic drugs.

Use Emenda during pregnancy

There are no adequate controlled trials of Emend in pregnant women. The drug should only be prescribed when the benefit of its use is more likely than the risk of complications for the fetus or the woman.

Studies in rats have shown that the drug component is excreted in breast milk. There is no data on the presence/absence of risk to breastfed infants.

Contraindications

Main contraindications:

• the presence of hypersensitivity to the drug;
• combined use with the substances astemizole, pimozide, as well as terfenadine and cisapride;
• severe liver failure.

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Side effects Emenda

The use of the medication may lead to the following side effects:

• headaches with dizziness, photophobia, feeling of drowsiness and severe fatigue;
• swelling, itching, hyperhidrosis, hot flashes;
• runny nose, sneezing, coughing;
• taste disorders, nausea, anorexia, dyspeptic symptoms, thirst, flatulence, constipation, and dry mouth;
• myalgia, hyperglycemia, bradycardia, as well as muscle spasms and dysuria.

Overdose

Emend is generally tolerated without complications. Only occasionally headaches and drowsiness are noted.

Interactions with other drugs

Emend induces the metabolism of warfarin with tolbutamide. Aprepitant has no significant effect on the pharmacokinetic properties of 5HT3-antagonist drugs (such as hydrodolasetron, granisetron, and ondansetron).

Combination with hormonal contraception weakens their medicinal effect.

When combined with drugs that induce the CYP3A4 element (such as rifampin), the therapeutic effect of Emend may be reduced.

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Storage conditions

Emend should be kept out of the reach of small children. Temperature values are within 25°C.

Shelf life

Emend can be used for 4 years from the date of manufacture of the drug.

Application for children

There is no information on the effectiveness and safety of using the drug in children, which is why it is prohibited for this category of patients.

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Analogues

The following drugs are analogs of the drug: Emeset with Emetron and Emtron, and in addition to this, Osetrin with Tropisetron, Navoban, Setronon and Zofetron. The list also includes Omstrone, Isotron, Do-megan, Ondansetron, Zofran and Granitron.

Reviews

Emend is often used to prevent nausea, as well as to prevent the development of delayed or acute vomiting. Reviews show that the powerful anti-emetogenic effect of the drug is highly effective. The drug is considered the drug of choice in the case of selecting a drug required during chemotherapy procedures.