DEFENITION
CLASSIFICATION
INDIVIDUAL DRUGS
ANTIEMETIC THERAPY IN SPECIAL
CASES
CLINICAL USES
SUMMARY
DRUGS THAT PREVENTS NAUSEA AND
VOMITNG ARE CALLED ANTIEMETICS.
VARIOUS DRUGS INCLUDING SOME
ANTIHISTAMINE AND
ANTICHOLINERGICS HAVE THIS EFFECT.
THEY ARE USED FOR CONDITIONS LIKE
MOTION SICKNESS, RADIATION OR
CHEMOTHERAPY INDUCED VOMITING,
MIGRAINE AND VERTIGO.
Afferent inputs to VC are through CTZ
located in area postrema
Emetogenic signals reach VC through
CTZ which is rich in dopamine D
2
seratonin 5HT
3,
muscarinic and histamine
receptors which causes vomitting
Drugs blocking these receptors are the
potential targets
Promethazine
Cyclizine
Cinnarizine
Dimenhydrinate
Diphenhydramine
………………………. 3D
Doxylamine
These H1 receptor antagonists may act by
virtue of significant anticholinergic activity.
Ondansetron
Granisetron
Palanoseteron- most potent
Tropisetron
Oral & Parental preparation are
available for use.
For CIE – administer drug 30 mins
prior to chemotherapy I.V
Cannabinoids
Benzodiazipines
Pyridoxine (Vit B6) serves as cofactor
for the enzyme glutamate
decarboxylase which in turn increases
synthesis of GABA
Glucocorticoids
Prokinetic drugs are
Metoclopramide,
Domperidone, Cisapride
Mozapride& Tegaserod.
MECHANISM OF ACTIONMECHANISM OF ACTION
Most effective drug for motion
sickness.
Action: Probably by blocking
conduction of nerve impulses across
a cholinergic link in the pathway
leading from vestibular apparatus to
vomiting center & is not effective in
vomiting of other etiologies.
Suitable for short brisk journeys & has
a brief duration of action.
Side effects :Produces sedation &
other Anticholinergic side effects.
Treatment: Transedermal patches
containing Hyoscine , to be delivered
over 3 days has been developed,
applied behind the pinna. It
suppreses motion sickness whiele
producing only mild side effects.
Dose: 0.2-0.4 mg oral, i.m.
Uses: For prophylaxis of motion
sickness and for morning sickness.
It has been cleared of teratogenic
potential.
Dose: 10-20mg oral.
Action: Affords protection of motion
sickness for 4-6hrs, but produce
sedation & dryness of mouth.
Uses: By their central anticholinergic
action, they block the extrapyramidal
side effects of Metoclopramide while
supplementing its antiemetic action.
Their combination is used in
chemotherapy induced vomiting.
Promethazine is the first generation
of H1 receptor antagonist used as
antihistamine antiemetic.
Drugs: Phenargan, Promethagan.
Indications: Sedative, Antiallergic,
Adjunct in Motion sickness, Morning
sickness.
Side effects: Respiratory
depression, Seizures, Neuroleptic
malignant syndromes,
Paresthesia, tremors, Drowziness,
Euphoria, Chest discomfort, &
Confusion in elderly.
Action: It is a sedative
antihistaminic with prominent
anticholinergic activity.
Uses: Morning sickness.
Side effects: Drowsiness, dry
mouth, vertigo & abdominal upsets.
Drugs: Doxinate – 10mg with
Pyridoxine 10mg tab.
Dose: 10-20mg at bed time; if
needed additional doses may be
given in morning & afternoon.
Cyclizine is a Antihistamine
used to treat nausea, vomitting,
motion sickness & vertigo.
Action: These are less sedative
& less anticholinergic.
Contraindications: Glaucoma,
Prostatic hypertrophy, strong
Psychoactive effects.
Side effects: Drowsiness,
Xerostomia.
Drugs & Dosage: Cyclizine HCl
50mg tab (for adults) & 25mg tab
(for kids).
It is an antihistamine drug
Meclizine is long-acting ; protects
against sea sickness for nearly
24hrs.
Use: prevents nausea, vomiting,
motion sickness and also to
relieve allergic reaction.
It is an Anti vertigo or Antihistaminic drug,
& also protective for motion sickness
causing nausea & vomiting.
Action: Probably by inhibiting influx of
Ca2+ from endolymph into the vestibular
sensory cells which mediates labyrinthine
reflexes.
Contraindications: acute & chronic
parkinsonism, drowsiness & blurred
vision.
Drug & Dose: Stugeron tab 25mg, 75mg
It is a dopamine receptor antagonist
used for treatment of nausea &
vertigo.
It is also a highly potent typical
antipsychotic & more potent than
chlorpromazine.
Uses: Treat Migrane headaches, as
an Anti-psychotic & alleviates
labrynthitis.
Side Effects: Hypersensitivity
Dyskinesia, Seizures, Neuroleptic
malignancy syndrome.
It is a prokinetic drug that promotes
g.i. transit & gastric emptying.
Action: on the GIT & CNS through D2
& 5-HT antagonism & 5-HT4 agonism.
Adverse Effects: Sedation
,Dizziness, Loose stool, Muscle
dystonia, Galactorrhoea &
Gynacomastia.
Uses: Antiemetic, Gastrokinetic,
Dyspepsia & Gastoesophageal reflux
disease.
It is a D2 antagonist, related chemically to
Haloperidol & pharmacologically to
Metoclopramide.
It crosses BBB very poorly, hence does
not affect the CTZ.
Its prokinetic action is based on D2
antagonism in the upper g.i.t.
Side Effects: Dry mouth, Loose stool,
Headache, Rashes, Galactorrhoea.
Drug & Dose: Domstal tab, 10mg, liq.
1mg/ml
It is a gastro prokinetic drug, which
increases motility in upper g.i.t.
Action: promotes Ach release
through 5-HT4 agonists so there is
increased G.I motility
Side Effects: mainly
Antidopaminergic side effects also
Dizziness & increased serum
transaminase.
Drug & Dose: Ciza 20mg tab,
Syspride 10mg tab.
Newer congener of cizapride with
similar gastro kinetic actions.
Side Effects : Diarrhoea, Dizziness,
abdominal cramps & Antidopaminergic
side effects.
Drug & Dosage: Moza 5mg TDS,
Normagut 2.5mg.
It is a prototype developed to
control cancer chemotherapy or
radiotherapy induced vomiting.
Action: Reduces the activity of
vagus nerve which deactivates the
vomiting center & also blocks the
action of 5-HT3.
Uses: prevents Chemotherapy,
Post operative nausea & vomiting ,
Cyclic vomiting syndrome.
Side Effects: Constipation, Dizziness,
Headache.
Clinical Use: CIV, Parkinson’s
disease, Alcoholism
Drug & Dosage: Emeset, tab. 4mg,
8mg, inj. 2mg/ml.
Vomiting associated with
pregnancy: Antiemetic drug therapy
may not be required for early
pregnancy vomiting (morning
sickness). If excessive Promethazine
is used, Pyridoxine supplement is not
required. However, in hyperemesis
gravidum, Pyridoxine supplement
along with doxylamine may be
required.
Motion sickness: Antihistamines
(Meclizine, Cyclizine) Hyoscine,
Promethazine.
Vertigo & other Labyrinthine
disorders: Hyoscine
Antihistamines, Phenothiazines.
Emesis due to Cytotoxic
agents: Odansetron,
Metoclopramide. In refractory cases
Nabilone, Dexamethasone are used.
SUMMARYSUMMARY
Histamine H1 – receptor antagonist
-Cyclizine: motion sickness
Hyoscine: motion sickness
-Cinnarizine: vestibular disorders
(eg. Menieres disease) & motion
sickness
-Promethazine : severe morning
sickness of pregnancy (but if only
absolutely essential)
Muscarinic receptor antagonists -
Dopamine D2-receptor
antagonists
-Phenothiazines(eg.
Prochlorperazine) : vomiting
caused by uraemia , radiation, viral
gastroenteritis: severe morning
sickness of pregnancy( but if only
absolutely essential)
-Metaclopramide: vomiting
uremia , radiation, gastrointestinal
disorders , cytotoxic drugs.
5- Hydroxytryptamine 5HT3- receptor
antagonists (eg. Odansetron):
vomiting caused by cytotoxic
anticancer drugs ; postoperative
vomiting , radiation induced vomiting.
Cannabinoids(eg. Nabilone) for
vomiting caused by anticancer drugs.