The potential role for corticosterone in the induction of cleft palate in mice after treatment with a selective NK-1 receptor antagonist, casopitant (GW679769B).

Background: Casopitant is a potent and selective NK-1 receptor antagonist that has shown clinical efficacy in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced and postoperative-induced nausea and vomiting.

Methods: In an embryo-fetal development study, pregnant mice were given vehicle (sterile water) or doses of 30, 100, or 300 mg/kg/day casopitant on Gestation Day (GD) 6 to 15. Fetuses were evaluated for external, visceral, and skeletal abnormalities on GD 18.