Varubi is a treatment for nausea from chemotherapy, given either through pill form or as an IV injection. Unfortunately, a growing number of patients have reported suffering from significant Varubi hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock.

Basics of Varubi

Varubi (generic name rolapitant) works by blocking the bodily chemicals that trigger nausea, and is used to treat those who have undergone chemotherapy that induces nausea and vomiting.

Varubi is manufactured by Tesaro Inc., and was first approved in pill form in 2015. The IV injection version of Varubi wasn’t approved until later, in October 2017, and released onto the market in November—just a few months ago. However, soon after the treatment with these IV injections began, patients began reporting serious Varubi hypersensitivity reactions.

In January, Tesaro made an announcement regarding the reports of Varubi hypersensitivity reactions. “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.”

Tesaro announced that it had worked with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to update the information included with the drug’s package insert.

Thousands of patients may have been placed at risk since the drug’s approval. According to an estimate from Tesaro, at least 7,000 doses of the IV injection have so far been administered in the United States.

Varubi Hypersensitivity Reactions

A number of Varubi hypersensitivity reactions have been reported by chemo patients, including anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock. Symptoms of anaphylactic Varubi hypersensitivity reactions may include:

• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Face or throat swelling
• Hives or flushing
• Itching
• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal pain or vomiting
• Back or chest pain
• Hypotension
• Shock

For most, Varubi hypersensitivity reactions occur within just a few minutes after the IV treatment. The likelihood of a reaction may be worse for patients who are allergic to legumes, soybean oil, or similar allergens.

A shareholder class action lawsuit was filed over Varubi hypersensitivity reactions on Jan. 17, alleging that Tesaro failed to give adequate warning about the risk of these serious side effects, which may in some cases be life threatening. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of investors in the company who purchased or acquired Tesaro securities between March 14, 2016 and Jan.y 12, 2018. The lawsuit claims that Tesaro’s failure to warn about side effects artificially inflated the value of the drug by misrepresenting its safety.

Filing a Varubi Lawsuit

Patients may not have been adequately warned about the possibility of Varubi hypersensitivity reactions before receiving the injection, but drug companies have a legal responsibility to warn patients and the medical community about any of their drug’s side effects.

If you have suffered from Varubi hypersensitivity reactions after injection with the chemotherapy nausea drug, you may be able to file a lawsuit. While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by Varubi hypersensitivity reactions, it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.