Palonosetron (Aloxi)

General information

Class/mechanism: Serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. Chemotherapy medications and surgery can cause nausea and vomiting by stimulating release of serotonin from the enterochromaffin cells of the small intestine, and serotonin triggers the vomiting reflex by binding to and activating 5-HT3 receptors. Palonosetron prevents nausea and vomiting by binding with high affinity to 5-HT3 receptors and blocking their activation by serotonin.
Route: IV
Extravasation: no information available

For conciseness and simplicity, HemOnc.org currently will focus on treatment regimens and not list information such as: renal/hepatic dose adjustments, metabolism (including CYP450), excretion, monitoring parameters (although this will be considered for checklists), or manufacturer. Instead, for the most current information, please refer to your preferred pharmacopeias such as Micromedex, Lexicomp, UpToDate (courtesy of Lexicomp), or the prescribing information.

Patient drug information

• Brief patient counseling information can be found in the Palonosetron (Aloxi) package insert
• Palonosetron (Aloxi) patient drug information (UpToDate)

History of changes in FDA indication

• 7/25/2003: FDA approved for the "prevention of acute nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately and highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy and the prevention of delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy."

Also known as

• Generic name: palonosetron HCL
• Brand name: Aloxi