Lecture 4: Antiemetic and Antianginal Drugs Flashcards
Nausea
Unpleasant feeling that often precedes vomiting
Emesis
Vomiting; forcible emptying of gastric and occasionally intestinal contents.
Antiemetic drugs
Used to relieve nausea and vomiting
What is stimulated in the brain that causes vomiting reflex?
Vomiting Center (VC) and Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone (CTZ)
Types of nausea and vomiting
- Chemotherapy induced
- Postoperative
- General
Where is the Chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) located?
Medulla Oblongata
Mechanism of Antiemetic drugs
Blocking one of the vomiting pathways which blocks the stimulus that causes vomiting
Mechanism of the drug:
Generic- Prokinetic Metoclopramide
Trade- Reglan
Blocks dopamine receptors in the CTS and stimulates peristalsis in the GI tract (aka helps muscle contraction to move food, fluids, etc in the GI tract)
Mechanism of the drug:
Generic- (Serotonin blockers) Ondansetron
Trade- Zofran
Blocks serotonin receptors throughout the body; GI tract, CTZ and Vomiting center
What can Zofran be used for?
Nausea and vomiting in patients receiving chemotherapy and for postoperative nausea and vomiting
What to assess in patients regarding nausea/vomiting?
Assess…
- complete nausea and vomiting history, including precipitating factors
- current medications
- contraindications and potential drug interactions
Common symptom of antiemetic drugs?
Can cause severe drowsiness, warn patients of driving or performing hazardous tasks
Angina Pectoris
Chest pain when the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood
- the heart muscle “aches”
Ischemia
Poor blood supply to an organ
