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.
What Is Palonosetron?
Palonosetron (Aloxi) belongs to the class of drugs called serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists. Serotonin is a naturally occurring chemical messenger that plays an important role in triggering nausea and vomiting.
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects experienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy or surgery. Palonosetron is an intravenous medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and surgery. Due to its long duration of action, it is effective in preventing both acute nausea and vomiting (within 24 hours) and delayed nausea and vomiting that may occur several days after chemotherapy.
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 acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of chemotherapy. It is also used to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in adults undergoing surgery. Because of its long half-life, palonosetron may provide protection against chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting for several days following treatment.
5-HT3 receptor antagonists are FDA-approved medications used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. 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 (Aloxi) is available in the United States as an intravenous injection for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting.
The drug comes in a sterile, clear, and colorless vial that contains 0.25 mg of drug per 5 ml.
How Palonosetron Copay Assistance Works
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
Common side effects include:
- Headache
- Constipation
Serious side effects include:
- Chest pain, severe dizziness, or symptoms of an abnormal heartbeat
- Trouble breathing
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Allergic reactions, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Hives or severe skin reactions
- Serotonin syndrome (a potentially life-threatening condition)
- Loss of coordination
- Muscle rigidity, twitching, or tremors
- Excessive sweating or shivering
- Agitation, confusion, or hallucinations
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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