Antiemetics

Question 1

Types of antiemetics?

Answer 1

Prescriptive:
Antihistamines
Anticholinergics
Dopamine Antagonists
Serotonin Antagonists
Cannabinoids

Non-prescriptive:
Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
Meclizine (Antivert)
Diphenhydramine (Benedryl)

Question 2

What are the side effects of antiemetics (in general)?

Answer 2

Drowsiness, dry mouth , constipation

Question 3

Antihistamines?

Answer 3

Promethazine, hydroxyzine

Question 4

Anticholinergics? What are their side effects?

Avoid in what patients?

Answer 4

Scopolamine SE: drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation
AVOID in pts w/Glaucoma

Question 5

Dopamine Antagonists? What are their side effects?

What do you do?

Answer 5

Prochlorperazine, Promethazine (Phenergan)
SE: sedation, hypotension, EPS, anticholinergic symptoms, CNS effects (especially when taken with ETOH, narcotics, etc)
Give slowly through IV or will cause tissue necrosis (Promethazine)

Question 6

Serotonin Antagonists? What are their side effects?

Answer 6

Ondansetron (Zofran)

SE: HA, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue

Question 7

Cannabinoids? What are their side effects?

Avoid in what patients?

Answer 7

Cannabinoids (Dronabinol)
(used to alleviate N/V from cancer treatment)
SE: Mood changes, euphoria, drowsiness, dizziness, HA, nightmares, confusion, dry mouth
AVOID in pts w/psychiatric issues

Question 8

Miscellaneous Med 1

Answer 8

Metoclopramide (Reglan)
used for postoperative emesis, chemotherapy, prokinetic agent
SE: HA, sedation, diarrhea, EPS (increases motility)

Question 9

Miscellaneous Med 2

Answer 9

Corticosteroids
(dexamethasone, methylprednisolone)
Small doses used for chemotherapy induced emesis