II. Mechanism
-
Nausea and Vomiting is mediated via the physiologic Vomiting center in the Medulla
- D2 Dopamine Stimulation of ChemoreceptorTrigger Zone (CTZ) in Medulla
- Many Antiemetics are dopamine Antagonists (e.g. Phenothiazines, Antipsychotic Medications)
- Serotonin Antagonists (5-HT3) are among the most commonly used Antiemetics
- Some Antihistamines (e.g. Diphenhydramine) and Anticholinergic Medications have Antiemetic properties (unclear mechanism)
- Stimulation of Vomiting center via three pathways
- Vestibular fibers (e.g. Vertigo)
- Afferent visceral fibers (e.g. gastrointestinal)
- Fourth Ventricle (ChemoreceptorTrigger Zone)
III. Preparations: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonist
- Indications
- Preferred first-line Antiemetic in U.S. in most cases
- Severe Nausea and Vomiting
- Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
- Chemotherapy-Induced Vomiting (See Nausea in Cancer)
- Agents
- Adverse effects
- Asthenia
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- QT Prolongation (see Ondansetron)
- Serotonin Syndrome
- Use in pregnancy may be associated with increased risk of Congenital Heart Defect and Cleft Palate
- (2014) Presc Lett 21(1): 5
IV. Preparations: Dopamine Antagonists - Phenothiazines
- Indications
- Migraine Headaches
- Motion Sickness or Vertigo
- Chemotherapy-Induced (See Nausea in Cancer)
- Postoperative Nausea (See Nausea After Surgery)
- Severe Nausea and Vomiting
- Agents
- Adverse effects
V. Preparations: Dopamine Antagonists - Substituted Benzamides
- Indications
- Agents
- Adverse effects
VI. Preparations: Dopamine Antagonists - Butyrophenones
- Agents
- Indications
- Chemotherapy-Induced (See Nausea in Cancer)
- Postoperative Nausea (See Nausea After Surgery)
- Adverse Effects
- Sedation
- Agitation or restlessness
VII. Preparations: Sedating Antihistamines (H1 Blockers)
- Agents
- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
- Doxylamine (Unisom)
- Meclizine (Antivert)
- Scopolamine (Transdermal)
- Indications
- Adverse Effects (Anticholinergic effects)
VIII. Preparations: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonist (NK1 Receptor Antagonist, Substance P Inhibitor)
- Agents
- Indications
- Prevention of Nausea, Vomiting with highly emetogenic Chemotherapy
- Typically used in combination with 5-HT3 Antagonists and Dexamethasone 20 mg daily
- Prevention of Nausea, Vomiting with highly emetogenic Chemotherapy
- Adverse Effects
IX. Preparations: Adjunctive and Atypical Antiemetics
-
Dexamethasone
- Chemotherapy-Induced (See Nausea in Cancer)
-
Cannabinoids (Dronabinol)
- Chemotherapy-Induced (See Nausea in Cancer)
-
Benzodiazepines (Lorazepam, Diazepam, Clonazepam)
- Chemotherapy-Induced (See Nausea in Cancer)
- Not generally recommended
-
Isopropyl Alcohol 70% Wipes
- Fold Alcohol wipe in half and hold within a half centimeter of the nares
- Take 3 deep inhalations every 5 to 15 minutes as needed (may be repeated up to 3 times)
- May reduce the need of medications in Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
- Pellegrini (2009) AANA J 77(4): 293-9 [PubMed]
- Cotton (2007) AANA J 75(1): 21-6 [PubMed]
X. Preparations: Brief list of Antiemetics for Adults
-
Ondansetron (Zofran)
- Dose: 4 mg (0.15mg/kg) IV (or PO) over 15 min every 4 hours as needed
-
Metoclopramide (Reglan)
- Dose: 5 to 10 mg PO/IM/IV every 6 hours as needed or 1 hour before meals and at bedtime
-
Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
- PO/IM/IV: 5-10 mg every 6-8 hours as needed
- Rectal: 25 mg PR g12h
-
Promethazine (Phenergan)
- Dose: 12.5 mg IV or 25 mg PO/IM/PR every 4 to 6 hours
XI. References
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Related Studies
Definition (MSH) | Drugs used to prevent NAUSEA or VOMITING. |
Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) | A drug that prevents or reduces nausea and vomiting. |
Definition (NCI) | Drugs used to prevent nausea or vomiting. Antiemetics act by a wide range of mechanisms. Some act on the medullary control centers (the vomiting center and the chemoreceptive trigger zone) while others affect the peripheral receptors. (MeSH) |
Definition (CSP) | drugs used to prevent nausea or vomiting; act by a wide range of mechanisms; some act on the medullary control centers while others effect the peripheral receptors. |
Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) |
MSH | D000932 |
SnomedCT | 372764000, 52017007 |
English | Antiemetic Drugs, Drugs, Antiemetic, Agents, Antiemetic, Antiemetic Agents, ANTIEMETICS, [GA605] ANTIEMETICS, Anti-emetic, Anti-emetic Agent, Anti-emetic Agent [TC], Antiemetic Agent, anti-emetic agents, antiemetic drugs, antiemetic agents, antiemetics, antiemetic drug, antiemetic, antinauseant drugs, Antiemetic, Antiemetic (product), Antiemetic (substance), Antiemetic, NOS, Anti emetics, Anti-emetics, Antinauseant Drugs, Antiemetics |
French | Agents antiémétiques, Anti-émétiques, Médicaments antiémétiques, Médicaments antivomitifs, Antiémétisants, Agents antivomitifs, Anti-vomitifs, Antiémétiques, Antivomitifs |
Swedish | Antiemetika |
Czech | antiemetika |
Finnish | Antiemeetit |
Italian | Sostanze antiemetiche, Farmaci antiemetici, Antiemetici |
Russian | PROTIVORVOTNYE SREDSTVA, ПРОТИВОРВОТНЫЕ СРЕДСТВА |
Japanese | 制吐剤, 制吐薬, 鎮吐剤, 鎮吐薬 |
Polish | Leki przeciwwymiotne |
Spanish | Efecto Antiemético, Antiemético, antiemético (producto), antiemético (sustancia), antiemético, Antieméticos |
Portuguese | Efeito Antiemético, Antiemético, Antieméticos |
German | Antiemetika |
Ontology: Phenothiazines (C0031436)
Definition (MSH) | Compounds containing dibenzo-1,4-thiazine. Some of them are neuroactive. |
Concepts | Organic Chemical (T109) , Pharmacologic Substance (T121) |
MSH | D010640 |
LNC | LP16248-4, MTHU042526 |
English | Phenothiazines, phenothiazines (medication), phenothiazines, Phenothiazines [Chemical/Ingredient] |
Swedish | Fentiaziner |
Czech | fenothiaziny, piperacetazin |
Finnish | Fentiatsiinit |
Russian | PROPERITSIAZIN, PROPIOMAZIN, PIPOTIAZIN, TIOPROPERAZIN, BUTAPERAZIN, PERITSIAZIN, PIPERATSETAZIN, FENOTIAZINY, PROFENAMINA GIDROKHLORID, MAZHEPTIL, ETOPROPAZIN, NEULEPTIL, RANDOLEKTIL, БУТАПЕРАЗИН, МАЖЕПТИЛ, НЕУЛЕПТИЛ, ПЕРИЦИАЗИН, ПИПЕРАЦЕТАЗИН, ПИПОТИАЗИН, ПРОПЕРИЦИАЗИН, ПРОПИОМАЗИН, ПРОФЕНАМИНА ГИДРОХЛОРИД, РАНДОЛЕКТИЛ, ТИОПРОПЕРАЗИН, ФЕНОТИАЗИНЫ, ЭТОПРОПАЗИН |
Croatian | FENOTIAZINI |
Polish | Fenotiazyny pochodne |
Japanese | アパミンカリュウ, フェノチアジン, フェノチアジン誘導体, アパミンジョウ10MG, アパミンジョウ25MG, アパミンジョウ5MG, ブタペラジン, プロピオマジン |
French | Phénothiazines |
German | Phenothiazine |
Italian | Fenotiazine |
Portuguese | Fenotiazinas |
Spanish | Fenotiazinas |