How Assistance Works
Streamlining our patient’s specialty pharmacy experience with unmatched full-service convenience
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1. Check Your Coverage/Benefits Verification
Our team of expert billers finds the best avenues of coverage that minimize out-of-pocket costs.
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2. Transfer Prescription to AmeriPharma™
We process your prescription by working with your previous pharmacy or prescriber, making the transition quick and easy.
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3. Prior Authorization
Our team of specialists obtains approval from your insurance companies within 24 to 72 hours.
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4. Copay Assistance & Financial Aid
We secure financial aid and decrease copays, out-of-pocket expenses, and high deductibles. To date, AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care has secured $55 million in financial assistance for our patients.
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5. Nursing Care Coordination If Needed
AmeriPharma™ puts your schedule and home environment first when scheduling and coordinating one of our specialized nurses for your in-home infusions.
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6. Delivery Coordination
Medications are always delivered in strict compliance with the specific requirements for shipping. Next-day and overnight cold-chain deliveries are coordinated around your schedule.
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What Is Emend?
Emend (aprepitant) is a substance P/neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist that is used in combination with other antiemetic agents to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). In other words, it is used to prevent an upset stomach and throwing up. It is currently available as a generic and as the trademarked brand names, Emend, Cinvanti, and Aponvie.
While there are some limitations to using aprepitant as the treatment of established nausea and vomiting, research suggests that aprepitant may have antiproliferative, anti-angiogenic, and antimetastatic effects. It is currently FDA-approved mainly for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Additionally, this medication may be used for chronic refractory pruritus (non-FDA approved) as off-label use. Individuals who have this condition may experience severe itchy skin that does not respond well to conventional treatments. More extensive research is required to evaluate this medication’s overall safety and effectiveness for the specific treatment of chronic refractory pruritus.
Aprepitant requires a prescription from your doctor and is currently available as oral capsules in the following dosage strengths: 40 mg, 80 mg, and 125 mg. It is also available as an injectable emulsion (Cinvanti). It is possible to use this medication in combination with other medications, depending on the treatment regimen.
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What Is Emend Used To Treat?
When a patient is on chemotherapy treatment, one of the main side effects is nausea, making it difficult for patients to keep down their food after treatment. Patients undergoing surgery may also experience extreme nausea as a result of coming out from anesthesia. In some cases, this nausea may last for up to 48 hours.
Nutrition is highly important for maintaining a robust immune system; however, chemotherapy can adversely affect an individual’s health. Nausea and vomiting can lead to dehydration and low potassium levels. To ensure that a patient has optimized therapy and better health and comfort, it is recommended that patients take aprepitant while on chemotherapy treatment.
Aprepitant is a highly selective antagonist of the G-protein coupled neurokinin-1 receptor, and it mimics a specific type of neurotransmitter associated with the vomiting reflex. It works by binding with specific neurokinin-1 receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system, and when it blocks the central region, it prevents the activation of the vomiting reflex.
Copay and Financial Assistance
AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care alleviates financial burdens for patients and their families
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Advanced software locates funding sources to match you with top-dollar foundation programs
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One of our copay assistance specialists will assist with the application process
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Automatic updates will be sent to you and your physician on the status of the funding
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Directions for Use
Individuals who have severe liver disease, are breastfeeding, or are pregnant should talk to their doctor before taking this medication.
This drug is only effective during the chemotherapy cycle’s first 3 days. After that, nausea has usually already set in. Since this medication is solely for preventative measures, it is not useful once the patients start to experience symptoms.
There are different options for this medication: oral and injectable emulsion (Cinvanti). In the oral forms, it can be given as a liquid (also called oral suspension) and as a capsule. The liquid comes in a powder form and is mixed as an oral suspension, which is typically prepared by your physician’s office. While this medication is safe for up to 3 hours at room temperature, it is better to keep it in the refrigerator at all times. Once the liquid suspension is prepared, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 72 hours (3 days) prior to use. The capsules can be safely stored at room temperature. As for the injectable emulsion, it comes in a single glass vial that contains 130 mg/18 ml aprepitant, and it is administered intravenously via injection over a 2-minute period or by infusion over a 30-minute period on day 1. The injection or infusion should be completed approximately 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy. The injectable emulsion must be refrigerated, and it is typically prepared and administered by a licensed healthcare provider.
Emend Side Effects
Common side effects include headache, dry mouth, heartburn, belching, nausea, confusion, tiredness or weakness, and dizziness. Because aprepitant can impair mental acuity, it is best to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while under its effects.
Listed below are some of the other possible side effects that are associated with aprepitant:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Decreased urination
- Fainting
- Hiccups
- Increased heart rate
- Indigestion
- Lack or loss of strength
- Lightheadedness
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of hair (alopecia)
- Rapid breathing
- Stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- Sunken eyes
- Swelling or inflammation of the mouth
- Thirst
- Weight loss (anorexia)
- Wrinkled skin
Less common side effects:
- Burning feeling in the chest or stomach
- Hot flashes
- Pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat
- Tenderness in the stomach area
Serious Side Effects
More serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention include:
- Signs of an allergic reaction: rash; itching; hives; red, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; tightness in the chest or throat; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, tongue, face, lips, or throat.
- Signs of a very bad skin reaction: Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) such as red, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin (with or without fever); irritated or red eyes; or sores in the mouth, throat, eyes, or nose.
- Signs of dehydration: dry skin, mouth, or eyes; thirst; fast heartbeat; dizziness; fast breathing; or confusion.
- Signs of infection: fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain while passing urine, mouth sores, or wounds that will not heal.
Contraindications
- Allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) to any component of this medication
- Aprepitant should not be used at the same time with the following medications due to the elevation of plasma concentrations of these medications, which can lead to serious or life-threatening reactions:
- Pimozide
- Terfenadine
- Astemizole
- Cisapride
Warnings and Precautions
- If you are on warfarin, it can decrease your international normalized ratio (INR) or prothrombin time
- The effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives may be reduced during and for 28 days following the last dose of Aprepitant
- Aprepitant must be used with caution with other medications as they can interfere with one another. Medications that can be problematic include:
- Rifampin
- Cisapride
- Phenytoin
- Pimozide
- Diltiazem
- Clarithromycin
- Carbamazepine
- Itraconazole
- Troleandomycin
- Ketoconazole
- Ritonavir
- Nefazodone
- Nelfinavir
- Aprepitant must be used with caution when given to patients with severe hepatic impairment
Our goal is to provide you with the most up-to-date and accurate information we can find. However, due to the fact that each individual is unique, we cannot guarantee that this information contains all of the potential side effects. Always seek professional medical advice for confirmation.
Insurances Accepted
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
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