EMEND

openFDA label record#

This page contains supplementary openFDA label data. For the canonical label presentation, use the corresponding DailyMed Structured Product Label.

Verified complete openFDA source JSON (canonical bytes are SHA-256 checked before publication)

Brand name
EMEND
Generic name
APREPITANT
Manufacturer
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Product type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
SPL set ID
696f9e80-9cae-403b-de9e-078343ce4713
SPL ID
428f7828-6d1c-438b-a17d-b4af0700c740
Version
42
Effective date
2024-07-05
Source export date
2026-10-12
Source partition
8
Source file
https://download.open.fda.gov/drug/label/drug-label-0008-of-0014.json.zip
Source object key
raw/openfda/drug-label/2026-10-12/fa098e7c5cff0b1ab653ce934059d1f4b90b860bafc0383a1f66223ce1037518/drug-label-0008-of-0014.json.zip
Source manifest SHA-256
7e6b178df8f32cac9a78e0f5d09c588344509b04fe41effb1dde9102e2a45be6
Import run
20261013T011858Z
Imported at
2026-10-13 02:18:16
Harmonized routes table
Harmonized routes
ORAL

Warnings cross-check#

openFDA text is shown for search and cross-checking; DailyMed SPL is canonical.

Warnings sections page 1 of 1 · 1 matching rows.

warnings and cautions

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS CYP3A4 Interactions : Aprepitant is a substrate, weak-to-moderate inhibitor and inducer of CYP3A4; See Full Prescribing Information for recommendations regarding contraindications, risk of adverse reactions, and dosage adjustments of EMEND and concomitant drugs. ( 4 , 5.1 , 7.1 , 7.2 ) Warfarin (a CYP2C9 substrate) : Risk of decreased INR of prothrombin time; monitor INR in 2-week period, particularly at 7 to 10 days, following initiation of EMEND. ( 5.2 , 7.1 ) Hormonal Contraceptives : Efficacy of contraceptives may be reduced during administration of and for 28 days following the last dose of EMEND. Use effective alternative or back-up methods of contraception. ( 5.3 , 7.1 , 8.3 ) 5.1 Clinically Significant CYP3A4 Drug Interactions Aprepitant is a substrate, a weak-to-moderate (dose-dependent) inhibitor, and an inducer of CYP3A4. Use of EMEND with other drugs that are CYP3A4 substrates, may result in increased plasma concentration of the concomitant drug. Use of pimozide with EMEND is contraindicated due to the risk of significantly increased plasma concentrations of pimozide, potentially resulting in prolongation of the QT interval, a known adverse reaction of pimozide [see Contraindications (4) ]. Use of EMEND with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, diltiazem) may increase plasma concentrations of aprepitant and result in an increased risk of adverse reactions related to EMEND. Use of EMEND with strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin) may result in a reduction in aprepitant plasma concentrations and decreased efficacy of EMEND. See Table 8 and Table 9 for a listing of potentially significant drug interactions [see Drug Interactions (7.1 , 7.2) ]. 5.2 Decrease in INR with Concomitant Warfarin Coadministration of EMEND with warfarin, a CYP2C9 substrate, may result in a clinically significant decrease in International Normalized Ratio (INR) of prothrombin time [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Monitor the INR in patients on chronic warfarin therapy in the 2-week period, particularly at 7 to 10 days, following initiation of the 3-day regimen of EMEND with each chemotherapy cycle [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] . 5.3 Risk of Reduced Efficacy of Hormonal Contraceptives Upon coadministration with EMEND, the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives may be reduced during administration of and for 28 days following the last dose of EMEND [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Advise patients to use effective alternative or back-up methods of contraception during treatment with EMEND and for 1 month following the last dose of EMEND [see Drug Interactions (7.1) , Use in Specific Populations (8.3) ] .

Adverse reactions cross-check#

openFDA text is shown for search and cross-checking; DailyMed SPL is canonical.

Adverse reactions sections page 1 of 1 · 4 matching rows.

adverse reactions

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (≥3%) are ( 6.1 ): Adults: fatigue, diarrhea, asthenia, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, hiccups, white blood cell count decreased, dehydration, and alanine aminotransferase increased. Pediatrics: neutropenia, headache, diarrhea, decreased appetite, cough, fatigue, hemoglobin decreased, dizziness, and hiccups. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC at 1-877-888-4231 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The overall safety of EMEND was evaluated in approximately 6800 individuals. Adults In 2 active-controlled, double-blind clinical trials in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) (Studies 1 and 2), EMEND in combination with ondansetron and dexamethasone (EMEND regimen) was compared to ondansetron and dexamethasone alone (standard therapy) [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . In 2 active-controlled clinical trials in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) (Studies 3 and 4), EMEND in combination with ondansetron and dexamethasone (EMEND regimen) was compared to ondansetron and dexamethasone alone (standard therapy) [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ]. The most common adverse reaction reported in patients who received MEC in pooled Studies 3 and 4 was dyspepsia (6% versus 4%). Across these 4 studies there were 1412 patients treated with the EMEND regimen during Cycle 1 of chemotherapy and 1099 of these patients continued into the Multiple-Cycle extension for up to 6 cycles of chemotherapy. The most common adverse reactions reported in patients who received HEC and MEC in pooled Studies 1, 2, 3 and 4 are listed in Table 5. Table 5: Most Common Adverse Reactions in Patients Receiving HEC and MEC from a Pooled Analysis of HEC and MEC Studies Reported in ≥ 3% of patients treated with the EMEND regimen and at a greater incidence than standard therapy. EMEND, ondansetron, and dexamethasone EMEND regimen (N=1412) Ondansetron and dexamethasone Standard therapy (N=1396) fatigue 13% 12% diarrhea 9% 8% asthenia 7% 6% dyspepsia 7% 5% abdominal pain 6% 5% hiccups 5% 3% white blood cell count decreased 4% 3% dehydration 3% 2% alanine aminotransferase increased 3% 2% In a pooled analysis of the HEC and MEC studies, less common adverse reactions reported in patients treated with the EMEND regimen are listed in Table 6. Table 6: Less Common Adverse Reactions in EMEND-Treated Patients from a Pooled Analysis of HEC and MEC Studies Reported in > 0.5% of patients treated with the EMEND regimen, at a greater incidence than standard therapy and not previously described in Table 5. Infection and Infestations oral candidiasis, pharyngitis Blood and the Lymphatic System Disorders anemia, febrile neutropenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders decreased appetite, hypokalemia Psychiatric Disorders anxiety Nervous System Disorders dizziness, dysgeusia, peripheral neuropathy Cardiac Disorders palpitations Vascular Disorders flushing, hot flush Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders cough, dyspnea, oropharyngeal pain Gastrointestinal Disorders dry mouth, eructation, flatulence, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, nausea, vomiting Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders alopecia, hyperhidrosis, rash Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders musculoskeletal pain General Disorders and Administration Site Condition edema peripheral, malaise Investigations aspartate aminotransferase increased, blood alkaline phosphatase increased, blood sodium decreased, blood urea increased, proteinuria, weight decreased In an additional active-controlled clinical study in 1169 patients receiving EMEND and HEC, the adverse reactions were generally similar to that seen in the other HEC studies with EMEND. In another CINV study, Stevens-Johnson syndrome was reported as a serious adverse reaction in a patient receiving the EMEND regimen with cancer chemotherapy. Adverse reactions in the Multiple-Cycle extensions of HEC and MEC studies for up to 6 cycles of chemotherapy were generally similar to that observed in Cycle 1. Pediatric Patients 6 Months to 17 Years of Age In a pooled analysis of 2 active-controlled clinical trials in pediatric patients aged 6 months to 17 years who received highly or moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (Study 5 and a safety study, Study 6), EMEND in combination with ondansetron with or without dexamethasone (EMEND regimen) was compared to ondansetron with or without dexamethasone (control regimen). There were 184 patients treated with the EMEND regimen during Cycle 1 and 215 patients received open-label EMEND for up to 9 additional cycles of chemotherapy. In Cycle 1, the most common adverse reactions reported in pediatric patients treated with the EMEND regimen in pooled Studies 5 and 6 are listed in Table 7. Table 7: Most Common Adverse Reactions in EMEND-Treated Pediatric Patients in HEC and MEC Pooled Studies 5 and 6 Reported in ≥3% of patients treated with the EMEND regimen and at a greater incidence than control regimen. EMEND and ondansetron EMEND regimen (N=184) Ondansetron Control regimen (N=168) neutropenia 13% 11% headache 9% 5% diarrhea 6% 5% decreased appetite 5% 4% cough 5% 3% fatigue 5% 2% hemoglobin decreased 5% 4% dizziness 5% 1% hiccups 4% 1% Forty-nine patients were treated with ifosfamide chemotherapy in each arm. Two of the patients treated with ifosfamide in the aprepitant arm developed behavioral changes (agitation = 1; abnormal behavior = 1), whereas no patient treated with ifosfamide in the control arm developed behavioral changes. Aprepitant has the potential for increasing ifosfamide-mediated neurotoxicity through induction of CYP3A4 [see Drug Interactions (7.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Non-CINV Studies Serious adverse reactions reported in adult patients receiving a non-recommended dosage of EMEND in non-CINV studies include single cases of each of the following: angioedema and urticaria, constipation, and sub-ileus. EMEND is only approved in the CINV population. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of EMEND. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: pruritus, rash, urticaria, Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis. Immune system disorders: hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions [see Contraindications (4) ] . Nervous system disorders: ifosfamide-induced neurotoxicity reported after EMEND and ifosfamide coadministration.

adverse reactions table

<table width="90%"><caption>Table 5: Most Common Adverse Reactions in Patients Receiving HEC and MEC from a Pooled Analysis of HEC and MEC Studies<footnote>Reported in &#x2265; 3% of patients treated with the EMEND regimen and at a greater incidence than standard therapy.</footnote></caption><col width="36%" align="left" valign="top"/><col width="32%" align="center" valign="top"/><col width="32%" align="center" valign="top"/><thead><tr><th styleCode="Lrule Rrule"/><th styleCode="Rrule">EMEND, ondansetron, and dexamethasone<footnote>EMEND regimen</footnote> (N=1412)</th><th styleCode="Rrule">Ondansetron and dexamethasone<footnote>Standard therapy</footnote> (N=1396)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">fatigue</td><td styleCode="Rrule">13%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">12%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">diarrhea</td><td styleCode="Rrule">9%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">8%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">asthenia</td><td styleCode="Rrule">7%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">6%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">dyspepsia</td><td styleCode="Rrule">7%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">5%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">abdominal pain</td><td styleCode="Rrule">6%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">5%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">hiccups</td><td styleCode="Rrule">5%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">white blood cell count decreased</td><td styleCode="Rrule">4%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">dehydration</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2%</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">alanine aminotransferase increased</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2%</td></tr></tbody></table>

adverse reactions table

<table width="90%"><caption>Table 6: Less Common Adverse Reactions in EMEND-Treated Patients from a Pooled Analysis of HEC and MEC Studies<footnote>Reported in &gt; 0.5% of patients treated with the EMEND regimen, at a greater incidence than standard therapy and not previously described in Table 5.</footnote></caption><col width="40%" align="left" valign="top"/><col width="60%" align="left" valign="top"/><tbody><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">Infection and Infestations</content></td><td styleCode="Rrule">oral candidiasis, pharyngitis</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">Blood and the Lymphatic System Disorders</content></td><td styleCode="Rrule">anemia, febrile neutropenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders</content></td><td styleCode="Rrule">decreased appetite, hypokalemia</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">Psychiatric Disorders</content></td><td styleCode="Rrule">anxiety</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">Nervous System Disorders</content></td><td styleCode="Rrule">dizziness, dysgeusia, peripheral neuropathy</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">Cardiac Disorders</content></td><td styleCode="Rrule">palpitations</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">Vascular Disorders</content></td><td styleCode="Rrule">flushing, hot flush</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders</content></td><td styleCode="Rrule">cough, dyspnea, oropharyngeal pain</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">Gastrointestinal Disorders</content></td><td styleCode="Rrule">dry mouth, eructation, flatulence, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, nausea, vomiting</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders</content></td><td styleCode="Rrule">alopecia, hyperhidrosis, rash</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders</content></td><td styleCode="Rrule">musculoskeletal pain</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">General Disorders and Administration Site Condition</content></td><td styleCode="Rrule">edema peripheral, malaise</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">Investigations</content></td><td styleCode="Rrule">aspartate aminotransferase increased, blood alkaline phosphatase increased, blood sodium decreased, blood urea increased, proteinuria, weight decreased</td></tr></tbody></table>

adverse reactions table

<table width="90%"><caption>Table 7: Most Common Adverse Reactions in EMEND-Treated Pediatric Patients in HEC and MEC Pooled Studies 5 and 6<footnote>Reported in &#x2265;3% of patients treated with the EMEND regimen and at a greater incidence than control regimen.</footnote></caption><col width="36%" align="left" valign="top"/><col width="32%" align="center" valign="top"/><col width="32%" align="center" valign="top"/><thead><tr><th styleCode="Lrule Rrule"/><th styleCode="Rrule">EMEND and ondansetron<footnote>EMEND regimen</footnote> (N=184)</th><th styleCode="Rrule">Ondansetron<footnote>Control regimen</footnote> (N=168)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">neutropenia</td><td styleCode="Rrule">13%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">11%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">headache</td><td styleCode="Rrule">9%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">5%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">diarrhea</td><td styleCode="Rrule">6%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">5%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">decreased appetite</td><td styleCode="Rrule">5%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">4%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">cough</td><td styleCode="Rrule">5%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">fatigue</td><td styleCode="Rrule">5%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">hemoglobin decreased</td><td styleCode="Rrule">5%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">4%</td></tr><tr styleCode="Botrule"><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">dizziness</td><td styleCode="Rrule">5%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1%</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">hiccups</td><td styleCode="Rrule">4%</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1%</td></tr></tbody></table>

Reported adverse events (FAERS/openFDA)#

Adverse event summaries are temporarily unavailable. Other product information remains available.