Akynzeo (netupitant / palonosetron) is a combination of two medications, netupitant and palonosetron, that's used with dexamethasone to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by certain anti-cancer medications (chemotherapy). Although it's convenient because it's given only on day 1 of your chemotherapy cycle, it's also expensive. Akynzeo (netupitant / palonosetron) is available in a capsule and injection.
Akynzeo (netupitant / palonosetron) is a combination of two medications. Netupitant, a neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor antagonist, blocks a chemical in your brain called substance P. Palonosetron, a serotonin receptor antagonist, blocks serotonin in your stomach. Blocking these chemicals helps with preventing nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy.
| Common Brands | Akynzeo |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | NK-1 receptor antagonist / Serotonin receptor antagonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Akynzeo (netupitant / palonosetron) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serotonin syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that's caused by too much serotonin in the body. Your risk of serotonin syndrome rises if you're taking Akynzeo (netupitant / palonosetron) with other medications that also raise serotonin levels. Make sure to tell your provider about all the medications you take before starting Akynzeo (netupitant / palonosetron). Don't start any new medications while taking Akynzeo (netupitant / palonosetron) without talking to your provider or pharmacist first. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include mental status changes (e.g., restlessness, hallucinations, delirium, coma), fast heart rate, changes in blood pressure, dizziness, sweating, flushing, feeling hot, tremor, muscle stiffness, sudden involuntary muscle movement, twitching or spasms, uncoordinated movement (losing your balance), and seizures. If you or your loved ones notice any of these symptoms, call 911 right away.
Capsule| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300mg/0.5mg | 1 capsule | $668.75 | $668.75 |
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Akynzeo is given together with dexamethasone to help prevent acute and delayed nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy. Acute nausea and vomiting is any nausea and vomiting that occurs within the first 24 hours (1 day) after your cancer chemotherapy. Delayed nausea and vomiting is any nausea and vomiting you experience after the first 24 hours (1 day) after chemotherapy is given. Netupitant prevents both acute and delayed nausea and vomiting, while palonosetron prevents only the acute phase.
You can take Akynzeo with or without food.
Netupitant is the active form of the medication while fosnetupitant is the inactive (meaning it doesn't have any effects) form of netupitant, called a prodrug. A prodrug is a medication that's converted into the active form of the medication after it enters your system. In general, the purpose of prodrugs is to improve how well your body absorbs, distributes, or breaks down the medication so it can work better. The injection form of Akynzeo contains fosnetupitant and palonosetron, while the capsule form contains netupitant and palonosetron.
No, it's not known if Akynzeo is safe or effective in children younger than 18 years old.
There haven't been enough studies looking at how Akynzeo affects pregnant women so it's not known if it's safe to use during pregnancy. In some studies done on animals, Akynzeo caused harm to their unborn babies. If you're pregnant or thinking of getting pregnant, talk to your provider to see if Akynzeo is right for you.
