What is Akynzeo: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Akynzeo overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Akynzeo, Akynzeo

Generic Names:

  • Akynzeo

Uses:

  • Prevents nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medicines., Prevents nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antiemetic, Antiemetic

Forms:

  • Injectable, Capsule

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth, By injection

What is Akynzeo used for?

Akynzeo is a prescription medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by initial and repeat courses of chemotherapy treatment. It contains netupitant and palonosetron that work together to block neurokinin-1 (NK1) and 5HT3 in the nervous system to prevent nausea during chemotherapy.

What form(s) does Akynzeo come in

  • Injectable

  • Capsule

What are common Akynzeo doses?

  • Box 1 Capsules

Common Akynzeo prescriptions

  • Akynzeo
    1 capsules box

  • Akynzeo
    1 capsules disp pack

  • Akynzeo
    235-0.25mg solution reconstituted

How to take Akynzeo

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. Take this medicine about 1 hour before chemotherapy.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. Take this medicine about 1 hour before chemotherapy.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeCall your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. It must be given slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for at least 30 minutes, about 30 minutes before starting your cancer treatment.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. It must be given slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for at least 30 minutes, about 30 minutes before starting your cancer treatment.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeCall your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

What to do if you miss a dose of Akynzeo

Akynzeo contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to netupitant or palonosetron.

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not use it if you had an allergic reaction to fosnetupitant or palonosetron.

Akynzeo warnings

  • This medicine may cause a serious drug reaction called serotonin syndrome (more likely if used together with certain other medicines).

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease or liver disease.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease or liver disease.

  • This medicine may cause a serious drug reaction called serotonin syndrome (more likely if used together with certain other medicines).

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Akynzeo interactions

  • Some medicines can affect how netupitant/palonosetron works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Alprazolam, dexamethasone, fentanyl, ketoconazole, lithium, midazolam, mirtazapine, rifampin, tramadol, triazolamBlood thinner (including warfarin)Cancer medicine (including cyclophosphamide, docetaxel, etoposide, ifosfamide, imatinib, irinotecan, paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine)MAO inhibitorMedicine to treat depression (including SNRIs, SSRIs)Triptan medicine to treat migraine headaches

  • This medicine may cause a serious drug reaction called serotonin syndrome (more likely if used together with certain other medicines).

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Some medicines can affect how fosnetupitant/palonosetron works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Alprazolam, dexamethasone, fentanyl, ketoconazole, lithium, midazolam, mirtazapine, rifampin, tramadol, triazolamBlood thinner (including warfarin)Cancer medicine (including cyclophosphamide, docetaxel, etoposide, ifosfamide, imatinib, irinotecan, paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine)MAO inhibitorMedicine to treat depression (including SNRIs, SSRIs)Medicine to treat migraine headaches

Akynzeo side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Anxiety, restlessness, fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there

  • Trouble breathing

  • Trouble breathing

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Anxiety, restlessness, fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Tiredness or weakness

  • Constipation, stomach upset

  • Headache

  • Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed

  • Redness of the skin

  • Headache

  • Tiredness or weakness

  • Tiredness or weakness

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