The anti-nausea drug Varubi has been allegedly inducing severe allergic reactions in chemotherapy patients, spurring a products liability claim investigation. Investigators are reviewing injury reports from patients who allegedly developed allergic reactions as an alleged result of the side effects of Varubi, to determine if these patients are eligible for compensation.

The reported side effects of Varubi range in severity, with some patients reportedly developing upset stomach or mouth sores, while other patients have reported suffering very serious allergic reactions. These allergic reactions can include rash and swelling, which can quickly become fatal if not treated promptly.

Varubi (rolapitant) is an anti nausea medication that is often prescribed to chemotherapy patients on their first day of treatment, to help prevent nausea and vomiting. Varubi can be prescribed orally or can be given intravenously, and works by blocking one of the body’s naturally occurring substances that causes vomiting.

This medication is used in conjunction with other drugs to help delay the intense nausea and vomiting the patient will experience during chemotherapy, and is supposed to make the treatment regime more bearable. But patients report experiencing adverse side effects of Varubi like anaphylactic shock and other hypersensitivity reactions, leaving the medical community concerned.

The reported Varubi allergic reactions occurred within just a few minutes of the drug being administered, with symptoms including:

• Wheezing, Coughing, or Breathing Difficulty
• Swelling of Face or Throat
• Hives
• Itching
• Abdominal Cramping
• Abdominal Pain or Vomiting
• Back Pain or Chest Pain
• Hypotension
• Shock

Even though these allergic side effects of Varubi can be devastating to patients, manufacturer TESARO Inc. either knew or should have known about the risks their drug posed to patients.

Overview of Varubi Allergic Side Effects

Varubi first entered the marketed in 2015 for oral prescription, then later gained approval for intravenous implementation in October 2017. Not long after Varubi IV treatment became available, patients began reporting serious side effects of Varubi.

The reports started coming in during late November 2017, with TESARO announcing it had updated Varubi’s package insert in collaboration with the FDA to include potential allergic reactions on Jan. 12, 2018.

“Anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock and other serious hypersensitivity reactions have been reported in the postmarketing setting, some requiring hospitalization. These reactions have occurred during or soon after the infusion of Varubi injectable emulsion. Most reactions have occurred within the first few minutes of administration,” TESARO stated.

TESARO further stated healthcare providers should be aware of potential allergic side effects of Varubi, and that patients with allergies to soybeans and other legumes were at high risk. This is because Varubi is made from soybean oil, which the patient population had been widely unaware of until recently.

Furthermore, patients with hypersensitivity issues should not be given this drug either for similar concerns. This has resulted in TESARO facing intense public scrutiny, with the current investigation looking into potential product liability claims.