Palonosetron Hydrochloride (pal-oh-NOE-se-tron hye-droe-KLOR-ide)

Prevents nausea and vomiting that could be caused by cancer treatments.

Brand Name(s):

Aloxi

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is usually given about 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy.
• This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

If a dose is missed:

• Call your doctor, pharmacist, treatment clinic, or home health caregiver for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a diuretic or "water pill" (such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, Lasix®).
• Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you have received for any kind of cancer treatment. This especially includes anthracycline medicines such as doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) or daunorubicin (Cerubidine®).
• It is important for your doctor to know if you have had an allergic reaction to similar medicines such as alosetron (Lotronex®), ondansetron (Zofran®), dolasetron (Anzemet®), or granisetron (Kytril®).
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicine to treat heart rhythm problems or medicine that might cause heart rhythm problems. Some medicines to tell your doctor about are digoxin (Lanoxin®), verapamil, Covera®, Rythmol®, Sectral®, Tambocor®, erythromycin, fluoxetine (Prozac®), or medicine used to treat mental illness (such as Thorazine®, Haldol®, Mellaril®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure your doctor knows if you have heart disease, heart rhythm problems, or low levels of magnesium or potassium (minerals) in your body.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation or diarrhea.
• Headache.