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Palonosetron Coupon - Palonosetron 5ml of 0.25mg/5ml vial

palonosetron

Generic Aloxi
Used for Nausea
Used for Nausea

Palonosetron is a medication that's used to prevent nausea and vomiting from cancer medications (chemotherapy) and surgery. The dose is usually a one-time injection through the veins that's given by a healthcare provider in a clinic or hospital. The most common side effects are headache and constipation. Palonosetron is still available as a generic medication, but its brand name Aloxi is now discontinued.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on August 23, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Palonosetron?

What is Palonosetron used for?

  • Prevention of nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy in adults and children 1 month of age and older

  • Prevention of nausea and vomiting (for up to 24 hours) after surgery in adults

How Palonosetron works

Palonosetron is a serotonin antagonist that works as an antiemetic (antinausea) medication. It blocks the actions of serotonin in the gut and in the part of your brain that's responsible for causing nausea and vomiting. This helps you feel less nauseous and less of an urge to vomit.

Are you looking for information on ondansetron (Zofran) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsAloxi (brand name no longer available)
Drug ClassAntiemetic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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$1959.89(save 98.00%)
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What are the side effects of Palonosetron?

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.

Common Side Effects

  • Headache (9%)
  • Constipation (5%)

Other Side Effects

  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Allergic reactions: hives; trouble breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, dizziness, sweating, flushing, tremor (shakiness), muscle stiffness or twitching, uncoordinated movement, distress, hallucinations

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Blurred vision

chest pain or discomfort

confusion

difficult breathing

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly

fainting

fever

irregular heartbeats that continue

sweating

unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

extra heartbeats

nervousness

pain in the shoulders, arms, jaw, or neck

pounding in the ears

slow or fast heartbeat

Incidence not known

Agitation

diarrhea

overactive reflexes

poor coordination

restlessness

shivering

talking or acting with excitement you cannot control

trembling or shaking

twitching

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds

collapse

gasping to breathe

paleness of the skin

seizures

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

headache

Less common

Acid or sour stomach

belching

bloated or full feeling

blood in the urine

bloody or black, tarry stools

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

change in vision

chills

continuing ringing or buzzing

cough

decrease in frequency of urination

decrease in urine volume

deep breathing

difficulty in passing urine

drowsiness

dry mouth

excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines

excessive sleeping

eye irritation

fear

feeling happy

feeling of warmth

flushed dry skin

fruit-like breath odor

general feeling of discomfort or illness

hearing loss

heartburn

hiccups

impaired vision

increased hunger

increased thirst

increased urination

indigestion

joint pain

large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin

loss of appetite

muscle aches and pains

muscle tremors

numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips

painful knees and ankles

painful urination

passing gas

raised red swellings on the skin, the buttocks, legs or ankles

rash

red, sore eyes

redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

runny nose

sore throat

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

sugar in the urine

swelling or protruding veins

trouble sleeping

unexplained noise in the ears

unexplained weight loss

unusually deep sleep

unusually long duration of sleep

vein discoloration

weakness or heaviness of the legs

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Palonosetron

thumbs-up

Pros

Might work better and have less side effects than other antiemetics in the same drug class

Long-lasting medication that's given as a single dose before chemotherapy or surgery

Can use for young children age 1 month and older who are receiving chemotherapy

thumbs-down

Cons

Can only be given by IV injection (into the vein)

Must be given by a healthcare professional

Side effects might last a long time

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Palonosetron

pharmacist

  • Palonosetron will be given as an IV injection before chemotherapy or your surgery. You might not need any other antiemetics because palonosetron lasts for a long time. But let your provider know if you're still feeling nauseous after receiving palonosetron because there might be additional medications that your provider can recommend for you.

    • Make sure to tell your provider about all the medications and supplements you take before starting palonosetron. Also, don't start any new medications while taking palonosetron without talking to your provider first. They can check for any drug interactions with palonosetron, such as with certain antidepressants, migraine medications called triptans, and some medications that affect your heart rhythm.

      • Let your provider know if you experience headache, constipation, or both after receiving palonosetron. They might be able to give you treatment to ease these side effects of palonosetron.

        • Let your provider know if you've ever had an allergic reaction to an antiemetic before. They might want to keep a closer eye on you for any reactions.

          faqs

          Frequently asked questions about Palonosetron

          How long does palonosetron take to work?
          Based on a small study, it can take just a few minutes for palonosetron to reach the highest amount in the body after a single dose of medication. This should suggest that palonosetron starts working to prevent nausea and vomiting quickly. Typically, palonosetron is given at least 30 minutes before chemotherapy. By the time the side effects of the cancer medication kick in, there should be enough palonosetron in the body ready to prevent nausea and vomiting from the chemotherapy.
          How long does palonosetron last?
          The effects of a single dose of palonosetron can last for a long time. Studies show that a single dose of palonosetron can help prevent nausea and vomiting for up to 5 days after chemotherapy.
          What's the difference between palonosetron and ondansetron (Zofran)?
          Both palonosetron and ondansetron (Zofran) are serotonin antagonists that work well for preventing nausea and vomiting. But a study comparing the two medications showed that palonosetron might work better because it lasts longer and also has less side effects than ondansetron (Zofran). Another difference between both medications is that palonosetron is only available as an IV injection, but ondansetron (Zofran) is available as oral tablets, orally dissolving tablets, oral liquid, and an injection.
          Can you take palonosetron with other antinausea medications?
          Yes, palonosetron can be given with other antinausea medications that belong to different drug classes and work differently from each other. This can help prevent nausea and vomiting better. In fact, cancer treatment guidelines recommend taking a combination of antiemetic medications if you're taking a chemotherapy regimen with a risk for nausea and vomiting. Palonosetron belongs to the class of medications called serotonin antagonists. Depending on your chemotherapy regimen, additional antinausea medications belonging to different drug classes that your provider might prescribe include aprepitant (Emend) and dexamethasone.
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          What are the risks and warnings for Palonosetron?

          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.

          risk-warning

          Allergic reactions

          Some people have experienced an allergic reaction to palonosetron. These reactions can be life-threatening and include facial swelling, hives, and anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). Get medical attention right away if you notice dizziness; fast heartbeat; a choking sensation; difficulty breathing; swelling around your eyes, lips, or tongue; or any signs of a severe skin reaction after taking palonosetron.

          risk-warning

          Serotonin syndrome

          • Risk factors: Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels

            Some people taking serotonin antagonists like palonosetron have developed a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. This condition happens where there's too much serotonin in the brain. Your risk for serotonin syndrome goes up if you take palonosetron with other medications that can raise your serotonin levels, such as certain antidepressants, mental health medications, pain medications, and migraine medications.

            Let your provider know about all the medications you take before starting palonosetron, as well as any medications you plan to take. Get medical help if you have any symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, fever, and confusion.

            dosage

            Palonosetron dosage forms

            The average cost for 4 vials of 5ml of 0.25mg/5ml of Palonosetron is $39.27 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 98% off the average retail price of $1959.89.
            vial
            Vial
            DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
            2ml of 0.25mg/2ml1 vial$47.10$47.10
            5ml of 0.25mg/5ml4 vials$39.27$9.82

            Typical dosing for Palonosetron

            Prevention of nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy

            • Adults: The typical dose is 0.25 mg injected into the veins (intravenously or IV). The dose is given 30 minutes before chemotherapy and takes about 30 seconds to infuse.

            • Children: The typical dose is 20 mcg/kg of body weight IV. The dose is given 30 minutes before chemotherapy and takes about 15 minutes to infuse. The maximum dose is 1.5 mg.

            Post-surgery nausea and vomiting

            • Adults: The typical dose is 0.075 mg IV over a 10-second period. It's given right before you get anesthesia.

            interactions

            Interactions between Palonosetron and other drugs

            Palonosetron may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Palonosetron. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

            Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

            Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

            Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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            How much does Palonosetron cost?

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            alternatives

            What are alternatives to Palonosetron?

            There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Palonosetron. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
            Palonosetron
            Used for:

            • Prevention of nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy in adults and children 1 month of age and older

            • Prevention of nausea and vomiting (for up to 24 hours) after surgery in adults

            $39.27 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
            Granisetron
            Used for:

            • Prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer medications (chemotherapy) and radiation

            $42.14 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
            Ondansetron (Zofran)
            Used for:
            $11.66 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
            images

            Palonosetron images

            colorless - Palonosetron Hydrochloride 0.25mg / 5mL Solution for Injection
            This medicine is Colorless Vial.colorless - Palonosetron Hydrochloride 0.25mg / 5mL Solution for Injection
            colorless - Palonosetron Hydrochloride 0.25mg / 5mL Solution for Injection
            This medicine is Colorless Vial.colorless - Palonosetron Hydrochloride 0.25mg / 5mL Solution for Injection
            colorless - Palonosetron Hydrochloride 0.25mg / 5mL Solution for Injection
            This medicine is Colorless Vial.colorless - Palonosetron Hydrochloride 0.25mg / 5mL Solution for Injection
            colorless - Palonosetron Hydrochloride 0.25mg / 5mL Solution for Injection
            This medicine is Colorless Vial.colorless - Palonosetron Hydrochloride 0.25mg / 5mL Solution for Injection

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            References

            Best studies we found

            Arevalo, E., et al. (2012). 1577P - Evaluation of subcutaneous (SC) versus intravenous (IV) palonosetron in cancer patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy: A randomized pharmacokinetic assay. Annals of Oncology.

            Gupta, K., et al. (2014). Palonosetron, ondansetron, and granisetron for antiemetic prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting - A comparative evaluation. Anesthesia, Essays and Researches.

            Hesketh, P. J., et al. (2020). Antiemetics: ASCO guideline update. Journal of Clinical Oncology.

            View All References (2)

            Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2023). Palonosetron hydrochloride injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

            MGI Pharma Inc. (2006). Aloxi® palonosetron HCl injection [package insert].

            GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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