Nausea and Vomiting Flashcards
Define nausea.
(Prodromal) conscious recognition that the vomiting centre has been stimulated.
Define vomiting.
the forcible ejection of the stomach contents through the mouth.
For what reasons may one be stimulated to vomit?
- Defence, upon injection of toxic substances.
- Bacterial and viral infection.
- Vestibular disorders (motion sickness and Meniere’s disease).
- Pregnancy (usually 1st trimester, can be hyperemesis gravidarum [must be resolved]).
- Iatrogenic (drug induced) – chemo, Parkinson’s medication.
- Migraine.
- Deranged biochemistry (hypercalcaemia, uraemia).
What is the chemoreceptor trigger zone?
The chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) consists of twin areas in the floor of the 4th ventricle, partially outside of the BBB. It detects noxious ingested chemical stimuli and can be stimulated centrally by parenteral drugs. The CTZ stimulates the vomiting centre.
Where is the vomiting reflex controlled centrally?
The vomiting reflex is regulated centrally by a ‘central pattern generator for vomiting’ (location in the brain unknown) and the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) [D2 and 5HT3].
Which parts of the brain are involved in the vomiting reflex?
• CTZ (area postrema) sensitive to circulating chemical stimuli (humoral factors).
• The area postrema neurones projects into the nucleus tractus solitarius, which receives input from:
o The vagus nerve.
o Enterochromaffin.
o Vestibular system.
o Limbic system.
Give some central triggers for nausea and vomiting.
- Raised intracranial pressure.
- Dilation of arteries (migraines).
- Sight, smell, and taste.
- Stimulation of labyrinthine mechanisms.
Give some peripheral triggers from nausea and vomiting.
• Gastric dysrhythmias. • Motion sickness. • Delayed gastric emptying. • Gastric mucosal irritation (NSAIDS). o Via all vagal afferents. • Dilation and obstruction of GIT. o Via sympathetic and vagal afferents.
Which receptors are involved in nausea and vomiting?
• Acetycholine (muscarinic) [mACh].
• Histamine [H1].
• 5-Hydroxytryptramine [5-HT3, 5-HT2, 5-HT4].
• Dopamine [D2].
• Substance P (Neurokinin-1 receptors in CTZ).
Also:
• Enkephalins (CTZ, µ and δ opioid receptors).
• Cannabinoids.
What classes of drugs are used to treat nausea and vomiting?
Histamine antagonists, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists, phenothiazine related drugs, benzamides, selective 5HT3 antagonists, cannabinoids, corticosteroids, neurokinin 1 receptor antagonists.
Give some examples of hustamine antagonists that are used to treat nausea and vomiting.
- Cyclizine (H1, mACh).
- Cinnarizine (H1, mACh).
- Promethazine (D2, H1, mACh).
What receptors does cyclizine act upon?
H1, mAch.
What receptors does cinnarizine act upon?
H1, mACh.
What receptors does promethazine act upon?
D2, H1, mACh.
What causes of nausea and vomiting are histamine antagonists used to treat?
These are often used in nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, having general anti-emetic activity but little activity at the CTZ. They are also used in motion sickness and vestibular disorders.
Where do histamine antagonist antiemetics act in the body?
They act at the vestibular nuclei and have some action at the central pattern generator for vomiting.
What side effects can histamine antagonist antiemetic drugs have?
These anti-emetic drugs cause drowsiness and sedation.
Give an example of drugs in the class muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists used as antiemetics.
Hyoscine hydrobromide.
What causes of nausea and vomiting are muscarinic acetylcholine receptors used to treat?
Motion sickness.
Where in the body do muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists work?
They work on the muscarinic receptors in the vestibular nuclei and the central pattern generator for vomiting.
In what forms can muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists be found?
- Transdermal patches - apply several hours before traveling as they have slow absorption.
- Chewable tablets.
Why should transdermal patches for travel sickness be administered several hours before travel?
To allow for absorption and action as they have slow absorption.
What side effects do muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists have?
- Dry mouth.
- Dizziness.
- Blurred vision.
Why should one be careful when giving muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists to the elderly?
One should be careful when giving these drugs to the elderly as the dizziness they can cause may lead to falls and these are more serious in the elderly population.
What drugs in the class of phenothiazine related drugs are used to treat nausea and vomiting?
- Prochlorperazine.
- Chlorpromazine.
- Trifluoperazine.
- Perphenazine.
- Haloperidol.
- Levomepromazine (5HT2 antagonism).
- Olanzapine (5HT2 receptor antagonism).
Where do phenothiazine related drugs act in the body?
These drugs are mainly D2 antagonists with central action at the CTZ and may also block H1 and mACh receptors.
In what forms can phenothiazine related drugs come in?
- Suppositories.
* Buccal tablets (prochlorperazine).
What side effects can phenothiazine related drugs have?
The side effects of this class of drugs include dystonic reactions such as hypotension. These can be painful and potentially upsetting to the patient.
What class does metoclopramide fall under?
Benzamides.
Describe metoclopramide.
This drug is a D2 antagonist and a 5HT4 agonist, similar to the phenothiazines.
Where does metoclopramide at in the body?
• CTZ (central).
• GIT (peripheral).
o Slowing the GIT.
What side effects can be seen with the use of metoclopramide?
• Prolactin release (galactorrhoea).
• Movement disorders.
o Fatigue.
o Motor restlessness.
o Spasmodic torticollis (sharp neck muscle movements).
o Oculogyric crisis (deviation of the eyes up for a prolonged period).
o Treat with procyclidine (anti-muscarinic).
Describe domperidone.
Domperidone is a D2 antagonist, related to the phenothiazines.
What class of antiemetic agents does domperidone fall under?
Benzamides.
Where does domperidone act in the body?
- CTZ (central action).
* GIT (peripheral action).
Does domperidone cross the BBB?
No.
What is the half-life of domperidone?
4-5 hours.
What is one of the main side effects of domperidone?
One of the main side effects of domperidone is QT interval elongation, leading to Torsades des Pointes.