What is Aloxi?
Aloxi is a prescription medicine called an “antiemetic.”
Aloxi is used in adults to help prevent the nausea and vomiting that happens:
- right away or later with certain anti-cancer medicines (chemotherapy)
- up to 24 hours while recovering from anesthesia after surgery
Aloxi is used in children 1 month old to less than 17 years of age to help prevent the nausea and vomiting that happens right away with certain anti-cancer medicines (chemotherapy).
- It is not known if Aloxi is safe and effective in children less than 1 month old to help prevent nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy.
- It is not known if Aloxi is safe and effective in children for the prevention of nausea and vomiting while recovering from anesthesia after surgery.
Who should not take Aloxi?
Do not receive Aloxi if you are allergic to palonosetron hydrochloride or any of the ingredients in Aloxi. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in Aloxi.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking Aloxi?
Before receiving Aloxi, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have had an allergic reaction to another medicine for nausea or vomiting
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Aloxi will harm your unborn baby.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Aloxi passes into your breast milk or if it will affect your baby or your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you will receive Aloxi.
Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Aloxi and certain other medicines can affect each other, causing serious side effects.
How should I take Aloxi?
- Aloxi will be given to you in your vein by intravenous (I.V.) injection.
- Aloxi is usually given about 30 minutes before you receive your anti-cancer medicine (chemotherapy) or right before anesthesia for surgery.
What are the possible side effects of Aloxi?
Aloxi may cause serious side effects, including:
- Serious allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis. Get emergency medical help right away if you get any of the following symptoms:
- hives
- swollen face
- breathing trouble
- chest pain
- Serotonin Syndrome. A possible life threatening problem called serotonin syndrome can happen with medicines called 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, including Aloxi, especially when used with medicines used to treat depression and migraine headaches called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and certain other medicines. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome:
- agitation, seeing things that are not there (hallucinations), confusion, or coma
- fast heartbeat or unusual and frequent changes in your blood pressure
- dizziness, sweating, flushing, or fever
- tremors, stiff muscles, muscle twitching, overactive reflexes, or loss of coordination
- seizures
- nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
The most common side effects in adults who receive Aloxi to help prevent nausea and vomiting that happens with certain anti-cancer medicine (chemotherapy) include: headache and constipation.
The most common side effects in adults who receive Aloxi to help prevent nausea and vomiting that happens while recovering from anesthesia after surgery include: serious or life-threatening heart rhythm changes (QT prolongation), slow heartbeat, headache, and constipation.
These are not all the possible side effects from Aloxi.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
General information about the safe and effective use of Aloxi
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about Aloxi that is written for health professionals.
How should I store Aloxi?
- Store at controlled temperature of 20-25°C (68°F-77°F). Excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F).
- Protect from freezing.
- Protect from light.
What are the ingredients in Aloxi?
Active ingredient: palonosetron hydrochloride
Inactive ingredients: mannitol, disodium edetate, and citrate buffer in water
For more information, go to WWW.ALOXI.COM or call 1-844-357-4668.
