3. Drugs used in Nausea & Vomiting Flashcards
Drugs for nausea and vomiting
- Serotonin 5-HT3 antagonists
- Corticosteriods
- Neurokinin Receptor antagonists
- Dopamine receptor antagonists
- Muscarinic receptor antagonists
- H1 histamine receptor antagonists
- Benzodiazepines
Examples of Serotonin 5-HT3 antagonists
- Ondansetron (1st Gen)
2. Palonosetron (2nd Gen)
MOA of Serotonin 5-HT3 antagonists
- Act at 5-HT3 receptors primarily in the GIT
- CNS 5-HT3 receptors do not appear to play an important role in actions in nausea and vomiting
- Efficacy enhanced by combination with a corticosteroid and NK1-receptor antagonist
- Intravenously 30 min before or orally 1 hour before chemotherapy to prevention of acute chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CNIV)
- Generally not effective for delayed nausea and vomiting (>24 hr after chemotherapy)
Antagonise the 5-HT3 receptors in the visceral afferents and in the chemoreceptor trigger zone
Major concerns / adverse effects of serotonin 5-HT3 antagonists
- Eliminated by hepatic metabolism and renal and hepatic excretion
- Generally dose reduction not required in elderly or patients with renal insufficiency
- Dose reduction of Ondansetron may be required for patients with hepatic insufficiency - Generally well-tolerated but may cause headache, dizziness and constipation
- Small risk of cardiac arrhythmia (prolongation of QT interval) with ondansetron
- Undergo P450 metabolism
- Do not appear to interfere with metabolism of other drugs
- But other drugs may reduce hepatic clearance of the 5-HT3 antagonists
Examples of corticosteroids
- Dexamethasone
2. Methylprednisolone
MOA of corticosteroids
- Mimic effects of cortisol
- Basis of antiemetic effect unknown
- Often used in combination with 5-HT3 antagonists to prevent acute and delayed vomiting (and to some extent nausea) in patients on moderately to highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens
Major concerns / adverse effects of corticosteroids
- Unlikely to occur with short-term use
- Higher doses or longer-term use (> 2 weeks) may cause iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome, including:
• Redistribution of fat (rounded face)
• Muscle wasting, dysphonia
• Thinning of skin, easy bruising
• Hyperglycaemia, later diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Immunosuppression
Examples of neurokinin receptor antagonists (substance P antagonists)
- Aprepitant (oral)
2. Fosaprepitant
MOA of neurokinin receptor antagonists (substance P antagonists)
- Action at neurokinin 1 receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone of area postrema
- Used in combination with corticosteroid and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists to prevent acute and delayed vomiting (and to some extent nausea) caused by highly emitogenic chemotherapy
Major concerns / adverse effects of neurokinin receptor antagonists (substance P antagonists)
- Fatigue, dizziness, diarrhoea
- Metabolism by CYP3A4
• Interaction with various chemotherapeutic agents (e.g. docetaxel, etoposide, irinotecan, imatinib, vinblastine)
• Drugs that inhibit CYP3A4 may influence plasma levels e.g. ketoconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, verapamil
Examples of dopamine receptor antagonists
Metoclopramide
MOA of dopamine receptor antagonists
- Dopamine (especially D2) receptor antagonism in the chemoreceptor trigger zone
- Also used as prokinetics to stimulate GI motility
Major concerns / adverse effects of dopamine receptor antagonists
- Extrapyramidal side effects:
- Restlessness, dystonias and parkinsonian symptoms
- Elderly are especially susceptible
- On long-term treatment irreversible tardive dyskinesia can develop - Elevated prolactin levels can cause:
- Galactorrhea, gynaecomastia, impotence and menstrual disorders
Example of muscarinic receptor antagonists
Hyoscine (scopolamine)
MOA of muscarinic receptor antagonist
- Muscarinic receptor antagonist → antagonise mACh receptors in the vestibular nuclei, nucleus of the solitary tract and vomiting centre
- Used for prevention of motion sickness