Nausea And Vomiting: Antiemetics Flashcards
What are the 3 stages of emesis?
- Nausea - unpleasant sensation prior to vomiting
- Retching - spasmodic respiratory movements that generate the pressure gradient
- Vomiting - contraction of muscles in abdomen and chest wall and then evacuation of the stomach contents through the mouth
What 4 areas of the brain provide feedback to the vomiting center?
- Chemoreceptor trigger zone: detects toxins and chemicals
- Vestibular system: motion
- Stomach, intestines: irritation and distension
- Higher centers: anxiety, pain, hormones, smell, sight, learned nausea, migraine, tumor, ICP
What receptor types are present in the 4 areas associated to vomiting?
- Vomiting center: H1, M1, NK1, and 5-HT3 receptors
- Chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ): D2, NK1, 5-HT3 receptors
- Vestibular system: H1 and M1 receptors
- GI and heart: mechanoreceptors, chemoreceptors, 5-HT3 receptors
Which neurotransmitters are involved in vomiting (5)?
- Acetylcholine - M1 receptors - vestibular system and vomiting center
- Serotonin - 5-HT3 receptors - GI, heart, CTZ, vomiting center
- Dopamine - D2 receptors - CTZ
- Histamine - H1 receptors - vestibular system and vomiting center
- Substance P - NK1 receptors - CTZ, vomiting center
General MOA of antiemetics?
Receptor antagonists acting at the vomiting center receptors
What are the risk factors that increase likelihood of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV)? (11)
- Age less than 50
- Female
- Nonsmoker
- Hx of PONV or motion sickness
- Hydration status
- Use of general anesthesia
- Use of volatile anesthetics
- Nitrous oxide
- Use of opioids
- Type of surgical procedure (laparoscopic, gynecological, cholecystectomy)
- Duration of surgery
What are the risk assessment thresholds for PONV?
0-1 risk factors = lowest risk, 10-20%
2-3 risk factors = moderate risk, 30-40%
3-5 risk factors = highest risk, 50-80%
What agents can you use for PONV prior to surgery? (2)
- Aprepitant
2. Scopolamine
What agents can be used for PONV at the induction of surgery? (4)
- Dexamethasone
- Methylprednisone
- Palonosetron
- Promethazine
What agents can be used for PONV at the end of surgery? (4)
- Dolasetron
- Droperidol
- Granisetron
- Ondansetron
Selective Serotonin (5-HT3) Receptor Antagonists (Agents, MOA, PK, Pregnancy, Indications)
Agents: ondansetron, granisetron, dolasetron, palonosetron
MOA: Selectively inhibits 5-HT3 receptors peripherally on the vagal nerve terminals, and centrally in the CTZ and vomiting center
PK: Onset 30 minutes. t1/2: 3-7 hours. Duration unknown.
Pregnancy: B
Indications: Chemotherapy-induced N/V, PONV, radiation N/V
Selective Serotonin (5-HT3) Receptor Antagonists (ADRs and DDIs)
ADRs: Headaches, dizziness, constipation, prolonged QT interval (more pronounced with dolasetron)
DDIs: Combining drugs that prolong QT interval (antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics, antidepressants) may result in ventricular arrhythmias. Combining SSRIs and SNRIs may result in serotonin syndrome.
Substance P/Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists (Agents, MOA, PK, Pregnancy, Indications)
Agents: Aprepitant, Fosaprepitant, Rolapitant
MOA: Selectively antagonizes substance P and neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptors in the brain; enhances efficacy of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists
PK: Onset known. t1/2: 9-13 hours. Duration unknown.
Pregnancy: N/A
Indications: Chemotherapy-induced N/V, PONV
Substance P/Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists (ADRs, Considerations, DDIs)
ADRs: fatigue, dizziness, diarrhea, constipation (aprepitant)
Considerations: may decrease effectiveness of birth control
DDIs:
- CYP3A4 inhibitors (grapefruit) INCREASE levels and toxicity risk
- CYP3A4 inducers (St. John’s wort) DECREASE levels and lower efficacy (decreased antiemetic effect)
- Warfarin effectiveness may be decreased; monitor INR
Antihistamines (Agents, MOA, PK, Pregnancy, Indications, ADRs, DDIs, Considerations)
Agents: diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate, meclizine
MOA: Inhibitors of H1 receptors
PK: Onset 15 minutes. t1/2: 1-4 hours. Duration 6-8 hours.
Pregnancy: B
Indications: allergy symptoms, motion sickness, Parkinson’s disease, nighttime sleep aid
ADRs: dizziness, dry mouth, sedation
DDIs: N/A
Considerations: Meclizine for VERTIGO. Dimenhydrinate is the less sedating than diphenhydramine.