Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

If you are taking this medicine for treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medicines, take the first dose on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before meal. After your first dose, you can take it with or without food.

Measure the oral liquid with a marked oral syringe. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

To use the oral liquid:

  • Open the bottle by pushing down firmly on the child-resistant cap and turn it counter-clockwise.
  • Place the open bottle upright on a flat surface. Push down on the adapter until the ribbed end of the adapter fits into the neck of the bottle as far as it will go. The top edge of the adapter should be in full contact with the top rim of the bottle. Do not remove the adapter from the bottle.
  • Use one hand to hold the oral syringe. Push down the plunger with your other hand. Keep the bottle in an upright position, insert the syringe tip firmly into the adapter.
  • Turn the bottle upside down with the syringe tip still inserted into the adapter. Slowly pull back on the plunger until the measuring ring is at the line marking that matches the needed dose.
  • If you see air bubbles in the syringe, push in the plunger so that the oral liquid flows back into the bottle. Then, pull up the prescribed dose.
  • Leave the oral syringe in the adapter and turn the bottle to an upright position. Place the bottle onto a flat surface. Remove the oral syringe from the bottle adapter by gently pulling straight up.
  • Place the oral syringe in the back of your mouth on top of your tongue. Slightly tilt your head back and close your lips around the barrel of the syringe. Slowly push down the plunger and swallow. Drink a full glass of water.
  • If you are giving this medicine through a feeding tube: Place the oral syringe into the feeding tube. Slowly push down the plunger until syringe is empty. Flush the feeding tube with 30 mL water.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For loss of appetite and weight loss in patients with AIDS:
    • For oral dosage form (capsules):
      • Adults—At first, 2.5 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day, taken 1 hour before lunch and dinner. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 20 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (solution):
      • Adults—At first, 2.1 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day, taken 1 hour before lunch and dinner. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 16.8 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medicines:
    • For oral dosage form (capsules):
      • Adults—Dose is based on body surface area (BSA) and must be determined by your doctor. At first, 5 milligrams per square meter (mg/m[2]) of BSA taken 1 to 3 hours before chemotherapy and then every 2 to 4 hours after chemotherapy for a total of 4 to 6 doses per day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 15 mg/m(2) per dose for 4 to 6 doses per day.
      • Older adults—Dose is based on body surface area (BSA) and must be determined by your doctor. At first, 2.5 mg/m(2) of BSA once a day, taken 1 to 3 hours before chemotherapy. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (solution):
      • Adults—Dose is based on body surface area (BSA) and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 4.2 milligrams per square meter (mg/m[2]) of BSA taken 1 to 3 hours before chemotherapy and then every 2 to 4 hours after chemotherapy for a total of 4 to 6 doses per day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 12.6 mg/m(2) per dose for 4 to 6 doses per day.
      • Older adults—Dose is based on body surface area (BSA) and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 2.1 mg/m(2) of BSA once a day, taken 1 to 3 hours before chemotherapy.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

You may keep the opened bottle of oral liquid at room temperature for up to 42 days. Throw away any unused medicine 42 days after opening the bottle.

Portions of this document last updated: May 01, 2024

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