- 5-HT3 receptor antagonist
- A type of drug used to treat certain types of irritable bowel syndrome and relieve nausea and vomiting. It belongs to the family of drugs called antiemetics. Also called type 3 serotonin receptor antagonist.
- Adjunct (or adjunctive) therapy
- Another treatment used together with the primary treatment. Its purpose is to assist the primary treatment.
- Adjuvant therapy
- Treatment given after the primary treatment to increase the chances of a cure. Adjuvant therapy may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or biologic therapy.
- Analgesic
- A drug that reduces pain. Analgesics may include aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen.
- Anemia
- A condition in which a decreased number of red blood cells may cause symptoms including tiredness, shortness of breath, and weakness.
- Anorexia
- The loss of appetite. Anorexia can be caused by cancer, AIDS, a mental disorder (ie, anorexia nervosa), or other diseases.
- Antagonist
- A substance that stops the action or effect of another substance. For example, a drug that blocks the stimulating effect of estrogen on a tumor cell is called an estrogen receptor antagonist.
- Antiemetic
- A drug that prevents or controls nausea and vomiting.
- Central venous catheter
- A special intravenous tubing that is surgically inserted into a large vein near the heart and exits from the chest or abdomen. The catheter allows medications, fluids, or blood products to be given and blood samples to be taken.
- Chemotherapy
- The treatment of cancer with drugs that kill cancer cells.
- Adjuvant chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy given to kill any remaining cancer cells, usually after all detectable tumor is removed by surgery or radiotherapy.
- CINV
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
- Cytotoxic
- Cell-killing.
- Dysphagia
- Difficulty in swallowing.
- Dyspnea
- Difficult or painful breathing; shortness of breath.
- Emesis
- Vomiting.
- Nausea
- A feeling of sickness or discomfort in the stomach that may come with an urge to vomit. Nausea is a side effect of some types of cancer therapy.
- NK1
- A receptor that, when bound with substance P, induces emesis.
- NK1 antagonist
- A drug that blocks substance P from binding with the NK1 receptor, which then blocks nausea and vomiting signals to the brain.
- Neurotransmitter
- A chemical that is made by nerve cells and used to communicate with other cells, including other nerve cells and muscle cells.
- Oncologist
- A doctor who specializes in cancer treatment.
- Oncology
- The study and treatment of cancer.
- Palliative treatment
- Treatment aimed at the relief of pain and symptoms of disease but not intended to cure the disease.
- Placebo
- An inactive substance or treatment that looks the same as, and is given the same way as, an active drug or treatment under study. The effects of the active drug or treatment are compared with the effects of the placebo.
- Port
- An implanted device through which blood may be withdrawn and drugs may be infused without repeated needle sticks.
- Receptor
- A molecule inside or on the surface of a cell that binds to a specific substance and causes a specific physiologic effect in the cell.
- Serotonin
- A hormone found in the brain, platelets, digestive tract, and pineal gland. It acts both as a neurotransmitter (a substance that nerves use to send messages to one another) and a vasoconstrictor (a substance that causes blood vessels to narrow). Also called 5-hydroxytryptamine.
- Side effect
- A problem that occurs when treatment affects healthy tissues or organs. Some common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores.
- Substance P
- A neurotransmitter naturally present in the brain and stomach that is associated with vomiting when its levels become elevated. Its emetic effects result from binding with receptor NK1.
- Vomiting center
- The area of the brain that controls the urge to vomit.
EMEND, in combination with other medicines, helps prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).
Important information about EMEND
EMEND is only used to help prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. It is not used to get rid of nausea and vomiting after they start.
Do not take EMEND if you are taking Orap (pimozide), Seldane (terfenadine), Hismanal (astemizole), or Propulsid (cisapride). Taking EMEND with these medicines could cause serious or life-threatening problems. EMEND may also affect some medicines, including chemotherapy, causing them to work differently in your body. Patients taking Coumadin (warfarin) may need to have blood tests after taking EMEND to check their blood clotting. Women who use birth control medicines during treatment with EMEND and for up to 1 month after using EMEND should also use a backup method of contraception to avoid pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you are taking or plan to take prescription or nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements, or if you have liver problems. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant because it is not known if EMEND can harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding because it is not known if EMEND passes into your milk or if it can harm your baby.
EMEND is available by prescription only. Please read the Patient Information for EMEND and discuss it with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.
