New Indication for Emend

WHITEHOUSE STATION, New Jersey-The FDA has approved Merck & Co.'s Emend (aprepitant) for use with other antiemetic medicines for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Emend was previously approved for use, in combination with other antiemetics, for the prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic chemotherapy, including high-dose cisplatin. Approval was based on a study comparing a regimen of Emend, ondansetron (Zofran), and dexamethasone on day 1 followed by Emend on days 2 and 3 vs ondansetron/dexamethasone on day 1 followed by ondansetron on days 2 and 3 (N Engl J Med, April 2005).