Akynzeo® (netupitant/palonosetron) as a basis of modern prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

Abstract

   Currently, nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy are a common adverse event affecting quality and duration of life of patients. Introduction of several classes of antiemetics and correct use of various medications in the form of combination scheme of nausea and vomiting prophylaxis allow to effectively control these adverse events. However, the incidence of nausea and vomiting remains high in clinical practice, and according to surveys doctors underestimate the frequency of these complications in patients. This is primarily caused by patient noncompliance in using antiemetics for delayed nausea and vomiting prevention due to complicated schemes of dosing and frequency of antiemetic administration. Combination peroral drug netupitant + palonosetron (Akynzeo®) seems the optimal solution for this adverse event. One-time administration of Akynzeo® prior to chemotherapy course allows to omit 5-HT3 receptor agonists and NK1 receptor agonist for prevention of delayed nausea and vomiting which increases patient compliance in taking antiemetics due to simplified therapy regimen, decreases incidence of nausea and vomiting, and increases patients’ quality of life.