An anti-sickness medicine for chemotherapy, usually combined with palonosetron
Netupitant
An anti-sickness medicine that helps prevent chemotherapy nausea and vomiting, usually combined with palonosetron.
What is Netupitant?
Netupitant is an anti-sickness medicine used to help prevent the nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. It belongs to a group called NK1-receptor antagonists, which block one of the signals that trigger sickness. It is usually given as a combined medicine with another anti-sickness drug, palonosetron, under the brand name Akynzeo, so the two work together. Common side effects include constipation and headache. It can interact with several other medicines because of how the body processes it, so your team will check your medicines list.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Netupitant — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Netupitant is a medicine used to help prevent the nausea and vomiting that chemotherapy can cause, which is one of the most feared side effects of cancer treatment. It belongs to a group of anti-sickness medicines known as NK1-receptor antagonists. In practice it is usually given as a fixed combination with another anti-sickness medicine called palonosetron, often as the brand Akynzeo, because the two block different sickness signals and work better together. It is given around the time of chemotherapy as part of a planned anti-sickness regimen, under the care of the cancer team.
How it works
Chemotherapy can trigger sickness through several different chemical signals in the body and brain. Netupitant blocks a receptor called the NK1 receptor, which responds to a chemical (substance P) involved in the delayed, longer-lasting nausea and vomiting that can follow chemotherapy. By blocking this pathway, and by being paired with palonosetron, which blocks a different sickness signal, it helps prevent both the early and the later phases of chemotherapy sickness. It is given before or around chemotherapy so it is already working when sickness would otherwise begin.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A medicine used in the UK to help prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, usually combined with palonosetron.
Practical use
How to take Netupitant
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it as part of your anti-sickness plan around chemotherapy, on the schedule your cancer team gives you.
- Use it as a preventer before chemotherapy rather than waiting until you already feel sick.
- If it is the combined product with palonosetron, take it as a single dose as directed.
- Tell your team about all your other medicines, including herbal and over-the-counter ones, as it can interact with many of them.
- Let your team know if sickness still breaks through, as extra anti-sickness medicine may be needed.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Netupitant
Advantages
- Helps prevent chemotherapy nausea and vomiting, including the delayed kind that comes later.
- Often given as a single combined dose with palonosetron, covering two sickness pathways at once.
- A convenient part of a planned anti-sickness regimen around chemotherapy.
Disadvantages
- Works as a preventer, so it is less useful once sickness has already started.
- Commonly causes constipation and headache.
- Interacts with several other medicines through the way the body processes it.
Practical use
Good to know
The most useful thing to understand about netupitant is that it is a preventer: it works best when taken before chemotherapy to stop sickness starting, rather than as a rescue once you already feel sick. It is usually given combined with palonosetron, often as Akynzeo, so a single dose covers two different sickness pathways. The most common side effects are constipation and headache, with tiredness in some people. An important point is that netupitant is processed by a liver enzyme system that handles many other medicines, so it can interact with several of them, raising or lowering their levels; your cancer team will review your full medicines list, including any over-the-counter or herbal products. It is part of a planned anti-sickness regimen alongside chemotherapy, so follow the schedule your team gives you.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to netupitant or palonosetron should not take it.
- It is used with caution in people on certain medicines that interact strongly with it.
- It is used with care in pregnancy and breastfeeding, guided by the cancer team.
Monitoring
- Reviewing how well it controls nausea and vomiting through the chemotherapy cycle.
- Checking for side effects such as constipation and headache.
- Reviewing other medicines for interactions before each cycle.
Side effects
- Constipation, which is a common effect.
- Headache and tiredness in some people.
- Less commonly, indigestion, hiccups or changes in liver blood tests.
Key interactions
- It is handled by a liver enzyme system that processes many medicines, so it can raise or lower their levels.
- The levels of some steroids and other anti-sickness medicines may need adjusting when used with it.
- Medicines or herbal products that strongly speed up or block this enzyme system should be reviewed.
Available as: Capsules taken by mouth, usually as a fixed combination with palonosetron.
Answers
Netupitant: frequently asked questions
What is netupitant used for?
It is used to help prevent the nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, by blocking one of the chemical signals that trigger sickness.
Why is it given with palonosetron?
Netupitant and palonosetron block different sickness pathways, so combining them, often as Akynzeo, gives better protection against both early and delayed sickness.
Should I wait until I feel sick to take it?
No. It works best as a preventer, taken before chemotherapy to stop sickness starting, rather than as a rescue once you already feel unwell.
What are the common side effects?
Constipation and headache are the most common, with tiredness in some people; tell your team if these are troublesome.
Why does my team need my full medicines list?
Netupitant is processed by a liver system that handles many medicines, so it can interact with several of them, and a full list helps keep treatment safe.
The wider class
About NK1-receptor-antagonist antiemetic (for chemotherapy)
Netupitant belongs to the nk1-receptor-antagonist antiemetic (for chemotherapy) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
Browse by body system
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
Building a medicines information resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free drug and formulary references for teams.