Antiemetics: drugs used in nausea & vomiting Flashcards
Vomiting is caused by noxious stimulation of 1 or more of 4 of the sites which can trigger the vomiting centre: 1. 2. 3. 4.
- Chemoreceptor trigger zone
- GI tract & heart
- Vestibular system (motion sickness)
- CNS (pain, repulsive smells, etc)
What are the drugs to prevent ACUTE nausea & vomiting & LOW risk of emetic?
- serotonin 5-HT3 antagonists (1st line)
- corticosteroids
- dopamine receptor antagonists: substituted benzamides
Examples of serotonin 5-HT3 antagonists
Ondansetron (half life 4-9hrs)
Granisetron
Palonosetron
Serotonin 5-HT3 antagonists act at _______primarily in the _______
they act at 5-HT3 receptors primarily in the GI tract
Serotonin 5-HT3 antagonists’ efficacy is enhanced by
combining with a corticosteroid & NK1-receptor antagonist
Administering serotonin 5-HT3 antagonists:
- when (IV & oral)
- why
IV, 30 mins before OR
Orally, 1h before
chemo
Why: to prevent acute chemotherapy-induced vomiting
With serotonin 5-HT3 antagonists, there is a small risk of:
1.
2.
- cardiac arrhythmia (in pts with cardiac abnormalities)
2. orofacial malformations (in early pregnancy) (eg. cleft lips)– (ondansetron)
Examples. of corticosteroids
Dexamethasone
methylprednisolone
Corticosteroids mimic effects of _______
endogenous cortisol
Higher doses/ long term use (>2 wks) of corticosteroids may cause _________.
Symptoms include:
may cause iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome
Symptoms:
- mood swings
- weight gain
- facial flushing
- impaired wound healing
- thinning of skin, easy bruising
- osteoporosis
- immunosuppression
- muscle wasting, dysphonia
Example of dopamine receptor antagonist
metoclopramide
Dopamine receptor antagonists act at the _______, and they are also used as _______ to stimulate ________.
chemoreceptor trigger zone;
used as prokinetics;
to stimulate GI motility
Concerns of dopamine receptor antagonists
1.
2.
- Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
- restlessness
- dystonia
- parkinsonian symptoms
- long term: tardive dyskinesia can develop - Elevated prolactin levels can cause:
- menstrual disorders
- galactorrhea
- gynaecomastia
- impotence
Can dopamine receptor antagonists be used long-term?
NOOOO
What are the drugs to prevent ACUTE nausea & vomiting & HIGH risk of emetic?
neurokinin receptor antagonists (substance P antagonists)