The role of netupitant and palonosetron in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

The combination of netupitant and palonosetron was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in October 2014 for the prevention of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately and highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Netupitant and palonosetron is available as a single capsule to be administered prior to each cycle of chemotherapy. The approval was based on phase II and III data in patients undergoing treatment with moderately and highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Netupitant and palonosetron's benefits include a convenient dosage form, dual-targeted mechanism, and favorable side effect profile, while its main limitations are cost and potential logistical issues surrounding administration. More studies are needed to adequately determine its role in therapy as well as which patients will derive the most benefit from its use.