Emend^®

Emend^® belongs to a class of drugs known as "antiemitics." Taken orally, Emend^® is used in conjunction with other antiemitic drugs to help prevent or reduce nausea and/or vomiting that can occur during chemotherapy treatment or following cancer surgery.

Emend^® is given prior to treatment procedures that can lead to nausea or vomiting. A preventative measure, Emend^® cannot be used for patients who are currently experiencing side effects of nausea or vomiting.

As each patient is different, Emend^® may or may not be the best (or only) choice as part of your cancer treatment plan. When you are a patient at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), your cancer care team can discuss the potential advantages and drawbacks of using Emend^®. Because we believe in treating all of you, not just the cancer, we provide you with the appropriate options for your needs.

Learn more about the whole-body approach we take with treatment at CTCA. Chat now with a specially trained, CTCA cancer information specialist.

As is the case with most drugs, Emend^® can bring about side effects in addition to the desired benefits. Additionally, Emend^® may also cause an allergic reaction, which requires emergency medical care. Although rare, the signs of an allergic reaction may include:

• Difficulty breathing and/or a tight feeling in the chest
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
• The presence of hives or a rash

In addition to the potential for an allergic reaction, Emend^® can also present some serious side effects. Though less common, the following side effect require immediate medical attention:

• Flu-like symptoms
• Difficulty or pain when urinating
• Weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Black and/or tarry stool
• Pain in side or lower back
• Pale skin (sometimes accompanied by easy bruising and/or bleeding)
• Sore throat
• Development of oral sores or white spots

Emend^® carries less serious side effects, which, though more likely to occur, are more likely to occur. These less-serious side effects of Emend^® can include:

• Noticeable digestive effects, such as:
  • Sour stomach
  • Indigestion
  • Loss of appetite
  • Pain or discomfort
  • Heartburn
  • Burning sensation in the stomach
  • Belching
  • Tenderness in the stomach area
  • Diarrhea
• Changes to the skin
  • Loosening, wrinkling, peeling, or blistering
  • Itching
  • Redness
  • Rash
  • Appearance of red skin lesions, usually with a purple center
  • Hive-like swelling
• Muscle/joint pain
• Irritated eyes
• Irregular heartbeat (increase or decrease in heart rate)
• Rapid breathing
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Hot flashes
• Pain in chest and/or throat
• Swelling or inflammation of the mouth
• Hiccups
• Dry mouth
• Thirst
• Decrease in urination
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Sunken eyes

Because each person is different, you may experience side effects not listed here. If this is the case, you should contact your doctor for further direction to learn if you should stop taking Emend^® and switch to another option.

Emend^® is used to help suppress the feeling of nausea that can come with other cancer treatment options, including chemotherapy and surgery. Although it is not given by itself as a treatment against cancer, Emend^® is often incorporated into treatment regimens for many different types of cancer.

If you would like to learn more about Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) and the whole-patient approach we take when considering drugs such as Emend^®, please contact CTCA at 800-615-3055 today.