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
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.
What Is Palonosetron?
Palonosetron (Aloxi) belongs to the class of drugs called serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists. Serotonin is a natural chemical present in the body that is responsible for the induction of nausea and vomiting.
The most common side effect cancer patients face during and after cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy) or surgery is nausea and vomiting. Palonosetron is an intravenous medication used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting that may occur within 24 hours of receiving chemotherapy or undergoing surgery.
What Drug Class Is Palonosetron?
Palonosetron is a serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonist.
Blocking 5-HT3 results in the blockage of serotonin both peripherally, in the gastrointestinal tract, and centrally in the chemoreceptor trigger zone of the brain, which results in a strong antiemetic effect.
What Is Palonosetron Used For?
Palonosetron is used to prevent and manage acute or delayed nausea and vomiting related to initial and subsequent courses of chemotherapy. It can also be given to prevent nausea and vomiting up to 24 hours after an operation.
5-HT3 receptor antagonists are FDA-approved drugs, mainly used to prevent nausea and vomiting in adults and children undergoing cancer treatments. For example, it may be used after receiving cancer-treating drugs (chemotherapy), undergoing radiation therapy, or experiencing nausea and vomiting associated with postoperative anesthesia.
Route of Administration and Strength
Palonosetron is only available as an intravenous injection in the United States.
The drug comes in a sterile, clear, and colorless vial that contains 0.25 mg of drug per 5 ml.
Copay and Financial Assistance
AmeriPharma™ Specialty Pharmacy 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
Dosage
In adults (17 years and older), palonosetron injection is given 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy. The infusion is given over 30 seconds as a single 0.25 mg dose.
In children from one month to less than 17 years of age, the injection is infused 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy, and it is dosed at 20 micrograms per kilogram. Infusion is given over 15 minutes as a single dose.
The dose of palonosetron injection given to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults is 0.075 mg IV administered 10 seconds immediately before administering anesthesia as a single dose.
Instructions Before Administration
Before administering palonosetron injection:
- Visually examine the vial for any particulate matter or discoloration. If present, do not administer and discard immediately.
- Do not mix with any other medication.
- Before and after the administration, flush the infusion line with normal saline.
Palonosetron Side Effects
Serious side effects include:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- QT prolongation
- Loss of coordination
- Stiff muscles or muscle twitching
- Swollen face
- Hives
- Sweating or shivering
- Agitation and hallucinations
Other common side effects include:
- Headache
- Constipation
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.
Get Started in Minutes
Fill out your information and one of our specialists will call you ASAP.
How Much Can You Save?
Speak with a copay assistance specialist
(877) 778-0318
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