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Varubi

Generic name: rolapitant (oral - tablets)

Last updated October 15, 2026 0 views Reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm
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What is Varubi?

Varubi blocks the actions of chemicals in the body that trigger nausea and vomiting.

Varubi is used together with other medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy.

It is not known if Varubi is safe and effective in children.

How should I take Varubi?

Take Varubi tablets exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Varubi is usually given on Day 1 of your chemotherapy treatment.

You may take the tablets with or without food.

You should not take Varubi more than once every 14 days.

You will be given other medication to prevent nausea or vomiting. Keep using these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each tablet in the foil blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine.

Warnings

Varubi can cause a rapid and severe allergic reaction. Tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies to any food or medicines.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Varubi. You should not use Varubi if you also use:

  • pimozide; or
  • thioridazine.

Do not use Varubi in a child younger than 2 years old.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • liver disease; or
  • if you use a blood thinner (such as warfarin) and you have routine "INR" or prothrombin time tests.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

This medicine may affect fertility (your ability to have children) in females.

Varubi side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Varubi: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • pain or burning when you urinate;
  • low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet; or
  • low white blood cell counts - fever, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing.

Common Varubi side effects may include:

  • low blood cell counts;
  • painful urination;
  • mouth sores;
  • hiccups;
  • dizziness; or
  • stomach pain, indigestion, loss of appetite.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting -- Chemotherapy Induced:

Oral: 180 mg orally within 2 hours prior to initiation of chemotherapy on Day 1 ADDITIONAL MEDICATIONS: Highly Emetogenic Cancer Chemotherapy (HEC): -Day 1: Dexamethasone 20 mg orally 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy; 5-HT3 antagonist per treatment guideline -Days 2 to 4: Dexamethasone 8 mg orally 2 times a day Moderately Emetogenic Cancer Chemotherapy (MEC): -Day 1: Dexamethasone 20 mg orally 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy; 5-HT3 antagonist per treatment guidelines Comments: -Additional 5-HT3 antagonist doses may be administered per treatment and manufacturer guidelines. -The manufacturer product information for appropriate dosing information for these drugs. -This dose should be given at the beginning of chemotherapy, and at no less than 2-week intervals. Use: In combination with other antiemetic agents for prevention of delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, including HEC

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you forget to take the tablets at the correct time before chemotherapy. The timing of your dose is important for this medicine to be effective.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

For at least 1 month after you use Varubi, avoid using any cough or cold medicine that contains dextromethorphan. Talk to your doctor about how to best treat a cough due to the common cold.

What other drugs will affect Varubi?

For at least 28 days after you use Varubi, it could affect other medicines you are using.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many drugs may interact with rolapitant, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Common questions about Varubi

Will a single dose of Varubi stop vomiting for days?
Yes. One dose of Varubi (rolapitant) has a long duration of action for up to five days. But there is one key point to understand: Varubi does not stop vomiting that has already started. Instead, it is taken before chemotherapy to prevent the delayed nausea and vomiting that can show up a day or more later. Continue reading
How long does a dose of Varubi last?
One 180 mg dose of Varubi (rolapitant) keeps working for about 5 days (120 hours) — long enough to cover the delayed nausea window after chemotherapy. But the drug leaves your body much more slowly. Its half-life is roughly 7 days, so it takes about 35 days for most of a dose to clear. Continue reading

Related medicines

Before you take this medicine: the information on this page is general and may not cover your personal circumstances. Read the label supplied with your medicine and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medicines or managing a long-term condition.
General medicine information Consumer-friendly language Source: Drugs.com

Content is provided for education and is not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer. Source page medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm on October 15, 2026.