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Specialty Pharmacy Clinical Policy Bulletins
Aetna Non-Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Subject: Antiemetic NK1 Limit 78-H P01-2026 v2
Policy: IndicationsFDA-approved IndicationsAprepitant capsulesPrevention of Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV)Aprepitant capsules, in combination with other antiemetic agents, are indicated in patients 12 years of age and older for the prevention of: · acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (HEC) including high-dose cisplatin. · nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (MEC). Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV)Aprepitant capsules are indicated in adults for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Limitations of Use· Aprepitant capsules have not been studied for the treatment of established nausea and vomiting. · Chronic continuous administration of aprepitant capsules is not recommended because it has not been studied, and because the drug interaction profile may change during chronic continuous use. Cinvanti (aprepitant) injectable emulsionCinvanti, in combination with other antiemetic agents, is indicated in adults for the prevention of: · acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (HEC) including high-dose cisplatin as a single dose regimen. · delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (MEC) as a single dose regimen. · nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of MEC as a 3-day regimen. Limitations of Use· Cinvanti has not been studied for the treatment of established nausea and vomiting. Emend (aprepitant) capsules and oral suspensionEmend for oral suspension, in combination with other antiemetic agents, is indicated in patients 6 months of age and older for the prevention of: · acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (HEC) including high-dose cisplatin. · nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (MEC). Emend capsules, in combination with other antiemetic agents, is indicated in patients 12 years of age and older for the prevention of:
Limitations of Use· Emend has not been studied for the treatment of established nausea and vomiting. · Chronic continuous administration of Emend is not recommended because it has not been studied, and because the drug interaction profile may change during chronic continuous use. Emend (fosaprepitant) for injectionEmend for injection, in combination with other antiemetic agents, is indicated in adults and pediatric patients 6 months of age and older for the prevention of: · acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (HEC) including high-dose cisplatin. · delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (MEC). Limitations of Use· Emend has not been studied for the treatment of established nausea and vomiting. Focinvez (fosaprepitant) injectionFocinvez, in combination with other antiemetic agents, is indicated in adults and pediatric patients 6 months of age and older for the prevention of: · acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (HEC) including high-dose cisplatin. · delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (MEC). Limitations of Use· Focinvez has not been studied for the treatment of established nausea and vomiting. Navitrux (fosaprepitant) injectionNavitrux, in combination with other antiemetic agents, is indicated in adults and pediatric patients 6 months of age and older for the prevention of: · acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (HEC) including high-dose cisplatin. · delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (MEC). Limitations of Use· Navitrux has not been studied for the treatment of established nausea and vomiting. Varubi (rolapitant) tabletsVarubi is indicated in combination with other antiemetic agents in adults for the prevention of delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, including, but not limited to, highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Initial Limit CriteriaInitial Limit Quantity for Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Highly or Moderately Emetogenic Cancer Chemotherapy (HEC/MEC) – aprepitant and rolapitantLimits do not accumulate together; patient is allowed the maximum limit for each drug and strength. The duration of 21 days is used for a 28-day fill period to allow time for refill processing. These drugs are for short-term acute use; therefore, the intent is for prescriptions of the requested drug to be filled one month at a time; there should be no 3 month supplies filled.
Initial Limit Quantity for Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Highly or Moderately Emetogenic Cancer Chemotherapy (HEC/MEC) – fosaprepitantLimits should accumulate across all drugs and strengths up to highest quantity listed depending on the order the claims are processed. The duration of 21 days is used for a 28-day fill period to allow time for refill processing. These drugs are for short-term acute use; therefore, the intent is for prescriptions of the requested drug to be filled one month at a time; there should be no 3 month supplies filled.
Initial Limit Quantity for Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV)These drugs are for short-term acute use.
Place of Service: Outpatient The above policy is based on the following references: 1. Aprepitant capsules [package insert]. Princeton, NJ: Sandoz Inc.; September 2024. 2. Cinvanti [package insert]. San Diego, CA: Heron Therapeutics, Inc.; March 2024. 3. Emend capsules and oral suspension [package insert]. Rahway, NJ: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC; May 2022. 4. Emend for injection [package insert]. Rahway, NJ: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC; May 2022. 5. Focinvez [package insert]. Bridgewater, NJ: Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC; March 2024. 6. Navitrux [package insert]. Parsippany, NJ: Avyxa Pharma, LLC; June 2026. 7. Varubi [package insert]. Deerfield, IL: TerSera Therapeutics LLC; August 2020. 8. Lexicomp Online, AHFS DI (Adult and Pediatric) Online. Waltham, MA: UpToDate, Inc.; 2025. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed December 3, 2025. 9. Lexicomp Online, Lexi-Drugs Online. Waltham, MA: UpToDate, Inc.; 2025. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed December 3, 2025. 10. Micromedex® (electronic version). Merative, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. Available at: https://www.micromedexsolutions.com/ (cited: 12/03/2025). 11. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Antiemesis. Version 2.2025. Available at: https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/antiemesis.pdf. Accessed November 12, 2025. Copyright Aetna Inc. All rights reserved. Pharmacy Clinical Policy Bulletins are developed by Aetna to assist in administering plan benefits and constitute neither offers of coverage nor medical advice. This Clinical Policy Bulletin contains only a partial, general description of plan or program benefits and does not constitute a contract. Aetna does not provide health care services and, therefore, cannot guarantee any results or outcomes. Participating providers are independent contractors in private practice and are neither employees nor agents of Aetna or its affiliates. Treating providers are solely responsible for medical advice and treatment of members. This Clinical Policy Bulletin may be updated and therefore is subject to change.August 20, 2026 |
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