Antiemetics, Laxatives, Antidiarrheals Flashcards
Nausea/Vomiting
Associated Conditions
-
Drug treatments
- Chemotherapy
- Pain
- Anesthesia
- Motion sickness
- Pregnancy
- GI disease
- Advanced cancer
- Migraine
- Bulimia
- Psychological stress
Nausea
Physiology
-
Emetic center (medulla) inputs:
-
Higher centers
- ⊕ by memories and fear
-
Solitary nucleus
- ⊕ by 5-HT, dopamine, ACh (mAChR), and histamine
-
Cerebellum
- ⊕ by ACh (mAChR) and histamine from inner ear
-
Chemo-receptor trigger zone (area postrema)
- ⊕ by 5-HT, dopamine, ACh (mAChR)
- ⊕ by blood-borne emetics
- ⊕ by 5-HT, dopamine, ACh (mAChR)
-
Higher centers
- Local irritants ⇒ ⊕ GI tract ⇒ 5-HT ⇒ ⊕ chemo-receptor trigger zone or solitary nucleus
Antihistamine
Antiemetics
⊗ Histamine H1 receptors
Most have significant anti-muscarinic activity
Used almost exclusively for motion sickness
-
Cyclizine and Meclizine
- Used exclusively for motion sickness (OTC)
-
Promethazine [Phenergan] (weak anti-D2 activity) and diphenhydramine
- May be more effective for nausea
- CNS adverse effects: sedation, confusion, dizziness, tinnitus, incoordination, tremors
- Antimuscarinic adverse effects: urinary retention, blurred vision, exacerbation of narrow angle glaucoma
Anticholinergic
Antiemetics
Scopolamine
(PO or transdermal patch)
-
Indications:
- 1° for motion sickness
- May be used for post-operative N/V
- No role in chemotherapy induced nausea
- Adverse effects: dry mouth, urinary retention, blurred vision, exacerbation of narrow angle glaucoma
Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Antiemetics
Prochlorperazine [Compazine] and Metoclopramide [Reglan]
⊗ D2 receptors in chemo receptor trigger zone
-
Prochlorperazine
- Antihistamine and anticholinergic properties
- Adverse effects: sedation, dystonia, extrapyramidal symptoms, impaired thermoregulation
-
Metoclopramide
- ⊗ 5-HT3 receptors
- ⊕ 5-HT4 receptors
- Sensitizes muscarinic receptors
-
Prokinetic agent ⇒ causes coordinated contractions that enhance transit
- Can be used to aid in drug absorption when tx migraines
- 1° use to tx N/V ass. w/ GI dysmotility syndromes
- Anti-dopaminergic effects ⇒ tardive dyskinesia
Serotonin Receptor Antagonists
Antiemetics
Ondansetron
-
⊗ 5-HT3 receptors @ both peripheral sites in GI tract and central sites (solitary nucleus and area postrema)
- Periphery: 5-HT from ECL cells of small intestine in response to chemotherapeutic agents that ⊕ vagal afferents
- Central: 5-HT recpetors in solitary nucleus and area postrema
- Persistent drug effects after ↓ [drug] ⇒ qDay dosing
- Extensively hepatic metabolized by cyp450 enzymes ⇒ ∆ dose w/ hepatic function
- Adverse effects: constipation, diarrhea, headache, lightheadedness, minor EKG changes, QT prolongation
- Used for chemotherapy, upper abd irradiation, hyperemesis of pregnancy
Cannabinoids
Antiemetics
Dronabinol
- ⊕ CB1 cannabinoid receptor
- MOA unknown
- Metabolites detectable for weeks
- CNS effects: sympathomimetic activity, marijuana-like highs, paranoid reactions
- Abstinence syndrome when terminating use
- Use with caution in pts w/ hx of drug abuse
- Used in cancer chemotherapy when other agents ineffective
- Stimulates appetite
Glucocorticoids
Antiemetics
Used in the tx of nausea in pts w/ widespread cancer
May suppress peritumoral inflammation and prostaglandin production
Benzodiazepines
Antiemetics
- Usually used in combo w/ other agents
- Not very effective when used alone
- Tx nausea related to psych conditions
- Sedative, amnesic and anti-anxiety properties can reduce anticipatory N/V
Substance P Antagonist
Antiemetics
-
Substance P
- Tachykinin family
- Present in vagal afferents → ⊕ solitary tract nucleus
-
Aprepitant
- Highly bound to plasma proteins
- Metabolized by cyp450 ⇒ ∆ dose w/ drugs like dexamethasone (also metabolized cyp450)
- Used in combo w/ other tx and for delayed nausea
Antiemetics
Common Uses
Post-Operative Nausea
- Assess risk: type of surgery, female sex, hx of nausea, non-smoking status, long duration, use of post-op opioids
- Low risk: no prophylaxis, rescue w/ 5-HT antagonist
- Moderate risk: Prophylaxis w/ 1-2 agents from different classes (use propofol)
- Highest risk: Prophylaxis w/ 2 agents from different classes (use propofol)
- Rescue with an agent from a different class
- Propofol has the lowest risk of nausea
Chemotherapy Induced Nausea
Constipation
-
Definitions:
- Inability to have stools frequently
- Incomplete evacuation of the rectum
- Stools that are too firm or too difficult to pass
- Associated sx: flatulence, bloating, abd pain
- Middle-aged or elderly pts ⇒ look for obstructing colonic lesion / evaluate cause
-
Otherwise healthy pt ⇒ dietary change and exercise > laxatives
- Risk for laxative dependence
Bulk Forming Laxatives
Indigestible polysaccharides or cellulose derivatives
- Swell upon contact w/ water ⇒ bulky gel
- Distends the colon
- Promotes peristalsis
- For long-term management: soft stools within 24-48 hours
-
Two bulk laxatives:
-
Insoluble fiber (bran)
- AE: abd pain, flatulence, bloating
-
Soluble fiber (psyllium, methylcellulose)
- AE: abd pain
-
Insoluble fiber (bran)
- Need to drink enough water to prevent SBO
- If GI strictures already present, can precipitate obstruction
- May ↓ serum lipids by binding cholesterol excreted by the bile
- Titrate dose to avoid gas and cramping
- ↑ Dietary fiber ⇒ ∆ dose so total = 15 grams of fiber/day