palonosetron

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to palonosetron.

Before you receive palonosetron, tell your doctor if you have an electrolyte imbalance, a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome," if you take a diuretic (water pill), or if you take a heart rhythm medication.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to dolasetron (Anzemet), granisetron (Kytril), or ondansetron (Zofran).

Call your doctor at once if you have uneven heartbeats while receiving palonosetron.

Palonosetron blocks the actions of chemicals in the body that can trigger nausea and vomiting.

Palonosetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by surgery or by medicine to treat cancer (chemotherapy or radiation).

Palonosetron may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to palonosetron.

Before you receive palonosetron, tell your doctor if you have:

• an electrolyte imbalance such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood;
• a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome";
• if you are taking a diuretic (water pill);
• if you are taking a heart rhythm medication; or
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to dolasetron (Anzemet), granisetron (Kytril), or ondansetron (Zofran).

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use palonosetron, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether palonosetron passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Palonosetron is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a hospital or cancer treatment setting.

Palonosetron is usually given within 30 minutes before the start of your chemotherapy treatment.

Since palonosetron is given by a healthcare professional before your chemotherapy, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a palonosetron overdose are not known.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity after you receive palonosetron.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fever;
• slow or uneven heart rate, trouble breathing;
• anxiety, agitation, shivering;
• feeling light-headed, fainting; or
• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects may include:

• diarrhea;
• constipation;
• dizziness;
• headache; or
• tired feeling.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about unusual or bothersome side effect.

Before receiving palonosetron, tell your doctor about all cancer medications you receive, or if you are using any of the following drugs:

• a diuretic (water pill); or
• heart rhythm medication such as amiodarone (Cordarone), bepridil (Vascor), disopyramide (Norpace), sotalol (Betapace), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can affect palonosetron. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about palonosetron.