Am I at Risk for Chemo-Induced Nausea and Vomiting?

Risk factors for chemo-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are different for everyone.

Some people are more likely than others to have nausea and vomiting (CINV). Nausea and vomiting caused by chemo can happen for different reasons. Some of those reasons may include your individual risk factors, such as your age or medical history.

Your chemo medicines may be more likely to cause these effects, and different types of chemo are more likely than others to do this.

Here are some individual risk factors that may increase your risk of chemo-related nausea and vomiting:

Your type of chemo regimen

You are a woman

You had episodes of vomiting during pregnancy

You are younger than 50 years old

You have a history of motion sickness

You suffered nausea and vomiting during past chemo treatments

You don't drink alcohol or drink it only occasionally

If any of these apply to you, it may be even more important to get treatment to prevent chemo-related nausea and vomiting.

Speak with your doctor about your options for stopping chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting before it starts.

Is your type of chemo medicine likely to cause nausea and vomiting?
Learn more about the types of chemo that causes CINV.

NEXT What Types of Chemo Cause It?

What Is It? How Does It Happen? When Can It Affect Me? Am I at Risk? What Types of Chemo Cause It? Ways to Prevent It Take the Quiz

Is your type of chemo medicine likely to cause nausea and vomiting?
Learn more about the types of chemo that causes CINV.

Approved Use/Important Safety Considerations

Approved Use

AKYNZEO® is a prescription medicine called an "antiemetic." AKYNZEO is used in combination with the medicine dexamethasone in people to help prevent the nausea and vomiting that happens right away or later with certain anti-cancer medicines (chemotherapy).

It is not known if AKYNZEO is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

Important Safety Considerations

AKYNZEO may cause serious side effects, including:

allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis. Get emergency medical help right away if you get any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: hives, swollen face, trouble breathing, or chest pain.
serotonin syndrome which can happen with AKYNZEO particularly with certain other medicines such as anti-depressants and anti-migraine medicines and can lead to death. Stop taking AKYNZEO capsules and go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you get any of the following symptoms: agitation, hallucinations or other changes in mental status, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, high body temperature, shaking (tremors), unsteady movements, muscle twitching (overactive reflexes), or seizures with or without nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The most common side effects of AKYNZEO capsules and injection include: headache, weakness, fatigue, upset stomach, constipation, and skin redness.

These are not all the possible side effects of AKYNZEO. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before you take or receive AKYNZEO, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have had an allergic reaction to palonosetron or another medicine for nausea or vomiting.
have liver problems.
have kidney problems.
are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. AKYNZEO may harm your unborn baby. It is not known if AKYNZEO passes into breast milk and you should not take AKYNZEO if you are breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. AKYNZEO and certain other medicines can affect each other, causing serious side effects.

Only take AKYNZEO as prescribed by your doctor and read the Patient Information located at the end of the Prescribing Information. You can also read the full Prescribing Information that is written for health professionals.

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