FDA Approves Akynzeo for Chemo-Related Nausea, Vomiting

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently approved the combination drug Akynzeo (netupitant and palonosetron) to treat nausea and vomiting among people undergoing chemotherapy, agency representatives said in a news release on Friday.

"Supportive care products, such as Akynzeo, help ease the nausea and vomiting patients may experience as a side effect of cancer chemotherapy," said Julie Beitz, M.D., director of the Office of Drug Evaluation III in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, via Medical Xpress.

The newly approved drug contains a new anti-nausea drug known as netupitant, and palonosetron, which was approved to treat nausea and vomiting nearly six years ago.

Two clinical studies evaluated the effectiveness of the drug, which involved 1,720 people. Findings reevaled that Akynzeo was more effective in preventing nausea and vomiting than palonosetron taken alone.

Akynzeo is marketed and distributed by Eisai Inc. of Woodcliff Lake, N.J., under license from Switzerland-based Helsinn Healthcare.