Palonosetron

What Is Palonosetron?

Palonosetron blocks the actions of chemicals in the body that can trigger nausea and vomiting.
Palonosetron is used in adults to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by surgery, or by receiving medicine to treat cancer (chemotherapy).
Palonosetron is used in children only to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medicine.
Palonosetron is not for preventing nausea or vomiting that is caused by factors other than chemotherapy or surgery.
Palonosetron may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
You should not use palonosetron if you are allergic to it.
To make sure palonosetron is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a similar medicine for nausea or vomiting, such as dolasetron (Anzemet) or ondansetron (Zofran).
FDA pregnancy category B. Palonosetron is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether palonosetron passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Palonosetron Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; chest pain, difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:

• high levels of serotonin in the body--agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting.

Common side effects may include:

• constipation; or
• headache.
• tired feeling.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Palonosetron Interactions

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Other drugs may interact with palonosetron, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Palonosetron Dosage

Palonosetron is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Palonosetron is usually given 30 minutes before chemotherapy, or right before you are given anesthesia for surgery.
Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
Because you will receive palonosetron in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.