Emend Side Effects

Weakness or fatigue, hair loss, and hiccups are the most common side effects reported with Emend. Side effects that are much less common (occurring in less than 3 percent of people) include dry mouth, gas, weight loss, and acne. While Emend side effects are minor in most cases, be sure to alert your healthcare provider immediately if you experience difficulty breathing, fainting, or chest pain.

 

An Introduction to Emend Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Emend® (aprepitant); however, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Emend. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Emend side effects with you.)
 

Possible Emend Side Effects

Emend has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are documented and are then compared to side effects that occur in another group of people not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
In these studies, the most common side effects of Emend included:
 
  • Hair loss -- in up to 24 percent of people (see Emend and Hair Loss)
  • Weakness or fatigue -- up to 17.8 percent
  • Hiccups -- up to 10.8 percent
  • Diarrhea -- up to 10.3 percent
  • Loss of appetite -- up to 10.1 percent.
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Other common Emend side effects (occurring in 3 to 9 percent of people) included:
 
(Emend Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;