About treatment-related side effects

TREATMENTS FOR CANCER CAN AFFECT YOUR WHOLE BODY

Normal cells can be destroyed during chemotherapy and radiation. This destruction of normal cells can take place in the protective lining of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, which includes organs like your stomach and small intestine.

The damage to these areas can lead to side effects of treatment, such as nausea and vomiting, painful oral sores, oral thrush, and dry mouth.

These side effects can lead to:

  • Reduced nutritional status
  • Dehydration
  • Weight loss
  • Decreased quality of life
  • Discontinuation of treatment

About nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are very common and uncomfortable side effects

Two of the most dreaded side effects of cancer therapy are nausea and vomiting. In fact, nausea and vomiting can affect up to 80% of people receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Nausea, which may occur before vomiting, comes and goes in waves of unpleasant feelings in the back of the throat and/or stomach.

Vomiting, also called emesis, or "throwing up," results when the contents of the stomach are ejected through the mouth. Emesis is a term that also includes retching, or "dry heaving," when there is nothing left to vomit.

Chemotherapy medicines are classified by how likely they are to cause vomiting (or how "emetogenic" they are).

  • Receiving a highly emetogenic chemotherapy means there is a very high risk of experiencing nausea and vomiting
  • Receiving a moderately emetogenic chemotherapy means there is a moderate risk of experiencing nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting have caused some patients to delay or refuse treatment. Fortunately, with the right medications, these side effects can be prevented in the majority of patients.

Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation

Learn More

ZUPLENZ is a medicine to help prevent nausea and vomiting in patients receiving chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery

Learn More

Helpful resources for coping with nausea and vomiting during cancer treatment

Learn More

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

  • Do not take ZUPLENZ if you: take apomorphine hydrochloride (eg, Apokyn®), have had an allergic reaction to ZUPLENZ or ondansetron or are allergic to any of its ingredients. See the last page of the full Patient Information.
  • ZUPLENZ may cause serious side effects, including severe allergic reactions. Stop taking ZUPLENZ and get medical help right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction to ZUPLENZ: rash, hives, itching, trouble breathing, chest tightness or chest pain, swelling of your mouth, face, lips, or tongue.
  • Before you take ZUPLENZ, tell your healthcare provider if you: have any heart problems, including a condition called "congenital long QT syndrome" or take a medicine that causes heart problems (QT prolongation), have liver problems.
  • Patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 10 or greater) should not receive more than 8mg of ZUPLENZ per day due to a reduction in drug clearance.
  • The most common side effects of ZUPLENZ include: headache, tiredness and body discomfort, constipation, diarrhea. These are not all the possible side effects of ZUPLENZ. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Taking ZUPLENZ with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you take, including apomorphine (for Parkinson's/movement disorders), tramadol hydrochloride (for pain), medicines for depression and migraine, and any other medicine for nausea and vomiting.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription medical products to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch, or call Fortovia at 1-855-273-0468.

Please see full Prescribing Information.

Click to expand Click to collapse

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

  • Do not take ZUPLENZ if you: take apomorphine hydrochloride (eg, Apokyn®), have had an allergic reaction to ZUPLENZ or ondansetron or are allergic to any of its ingredients. See the last page of the full Patient Information.
  • ZUPLENZ may cause serious side effects, including severe allergic reactions. Stop taking ZUPLENZ and get medical help right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction to ZUPLENZ: rash, hives, itching, trouble breathing, chest tightness or chest pain, swelling of your mouth, face, lips, or tongue.
  • Before you take ZUPLENZ, tell your healthcare provider if you: have any heart problems, including a condition called "congenital long QT syndrome" or take a medicine that causes heart problems (QT prolongation), have liver problems.
  • Patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score of 10 or greater) should not receive more than 8mg of ZUPLENZ per day due to a reduction in drug clearance.
  • The most common side effects of ZUPLENZ include: headache, tiredness and body discomfort, constipation, diarrhea. These are not all the possible side effects of ZUPLENZ. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Taking ZUPLENZ with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you take, including apomorphine (for Parkinson's/movement disorders), tramadol hydrochloride (for pain), medicines for depression and migraine, and any other medicine for nausea and vomiting.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription medical products to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch, or call Fortovia at 1-855-273-0468.

Please see full Prescribing Information.