How does ALOXI® work?
Oncologists administer chemotherapy with the intention of killing cancer cells. As a self defense mechanism, the body can recognize chemotherapy as a toxin.
The presence of a toxin can stimulate the release of a substance called serotonin,
which can stimulate nausea and vomiting. ALOXI, which is a 5HT3 receptor antagonist,
works to block the effects of serotonin, helping to prevent nausea and vomiting.
ALOXI blocks serotonin like other 5-HT3 receptor antagonist medicines. ALOXI prevents
nausea and vomiting on the day of chemotherapy that is highly likely to cause nausea
and vomiting and up to 5 days following chemotherapy that is moderately likely to
cause nausea and vomiting—with a single IV dose.
ALOXI is given as a single intravenous (IV) injection about 30 minutes before the
start of chemotherapy, often through the same IV line that will be used for your
chemotherapy.*
* The infusion line should be flushed with normal saline before and after
administration of the ALOXI.