Question about Emend

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DebbyB
DebbyB Member Posts: 16
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I asked my doctor for a different medication for nausea and she prescribed Emend.  I had my 4th treatment on Thursday, took one Emend today and will take another tomorrow.  Does that last for a few more days?  How does it work for those who have taken it?

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  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 1,729
    edited May 2009

    Emend was prescribed for me on days 1, 2, 3 of my dose dense A/C chemos...it was in a tri-pack.  Its supposed to be very good.  I was on so many nausea meds at the same time but I believe that is the strong one.

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited May 2009

    I too have the tri-pack of Emend - Take the first (largest dosage) just prior to the chemo, then take the second on the second day and third on third day.  Has worked great, no nausea or vomiting at all.  I also get Aloxi in the infusion and have Zofran and Compazine should any nausea break through after the third day. 

    Linda

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  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited May 2009

    I'm prone to nausea all my life (car sickness when young, throwing up every time I have the flu, etc.  I am the vomit queen!).  To add to that mix, I have a history -- fortunately a fading one -- of seizures when I vomit and get dehydrated.  It goes on for hours and I dread the thought of it, although the seizures are way less frequent and much milder, on the very rare occasion I have them. Still, it was a huge concern for me.

    I explained all this to my oncologist and he prescribed the Emend, same as Kari & Linda -- a three-pack for days 1, 2, and 3.  I'm also on steroids for the three days and there's one other med I get as a drip before the chemo (I believe it's a routine anti-nausea med but I keep forgetting to ask what it is).

    I've just had my third A/C Wed. so this is my last day of Emend. I've done great.  I don't know how much of it is the Emend and how much the other drugs help, but I understand it's a biggie (and at $100 a pill without insurance, it ought to be!) (fortunately I don't have to pay that!).  

    I have had virtually no nausea post-chemo after each treatment.  A few times I've had slight twinges at the edges of my stomach -- not really nausea, but enough "off" to make me take a half an ativan just in case.  I also have Zofran ODT if I need it but haven't used it yet.  I'm no martyr and am absolutely not willing to wait until I'm SURE I'm nauseous.  So that may have helped stave off anything serious, or may have just been overkill.

    I would think you'll do well with it.  Good luck! 

    Carol

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  • DebbyB
    DebbyB Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2009

    I didn't get the tri pack, she gave me the two pack.  I get Aloxi too in the infusion and have Kytril and Compazine also.  I'm just wondering if I should take something else on Sunday just to catch it before it happens.

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  • knowledgeforpower
    knowledgeforpower Member Posts: 184
    edited May 2009

    I had the tri pack, but that wasn't enough for me, I am prone to nausea.  In addition to taking it on day 2 and 3 I also took it for an additional two days.   I got an Ativan when I left the infusion center and took another at bedtime.  The nurse suggested I break a 10 mg Ativan in half and put half under my tongue to let it dissolve so it gets into you blood stream faster.  That worked like a charm for any breakthrough nausea and didn't make me drowzy.

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited May 2009

    Debby, after the Emend start taking the other anti-nausea drugs.  As my onc says, once your are nauseous, it's to late - you want to stay ahead of it.

    Carol:  It's probably Aloxi they are putting in your infusion.  They do it in mine too.

    hang in there - at least we are all going through it together!

    Linda

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  • MRSROCKYTOP55
    MRSROCKYTOP55 Member Posts: 403
    edited May 2009

    I too took Emend while on AC and never had any trouble with nausea.  Will be praying for you.

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  • Sukiann
    Sukiann Member Posts: 310
    edited June 2009

    They put antinausea meds in my iv (can't remember which ones) and I take the Emend.  No nausea at all!!!  I was so surprised.  I have the tripack for each treatment and yes it is VERY expensive (so what else in new?) but so worth it.  The nurse practitioner said that Emend has made a hug difference for patients and said that it works very well for most people.  I filled the zofran prescription just in case I get breakthrough nausea but after two treatments I haven't.  Nausea was the side effect that I most feared and I'm glad that I haven't had to deal with it. I really hope that it works as well for you as it has for me.

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  • DebbyB
    DebbyB Member Posts: 16
    edited June 2009

    Thanks so much for everyone's help.  I took the Emend as prescribed and also took my other nausea meds just in case.  It worked!!!!!  Sukiann, like you, the only thing I really dreaded through this whole process was the nausea and I will do whatever I have to to avoid that.  The week before my last treatment I drank organic ginger tea and ate ginger thins everyday and continue to do so.  So I'm hoping the combination of everything helped.    I will defintely be taking Emend for the remainder of my treatments!

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  • Laurie09
    Laurie09 Member Posts: 313
    edited June 2009

    I had the tri pack as well.  I am very prone to nausea, and had nausea the night after my treatment but was able to control it with the emend, dexamethasone and ativan. 

    As my oncologist explained to me, take the medications even if you feel fine.  It's better to prevent it than have to try to alleviate it once you feel sick.

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