Articles: nausea.
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Clin Adv Hematol Oncol · May 2004
ReviewPalonosetron: a unique 5-HT3 receptor antagonist indicated for the prevention of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Despite the advance in supportive care that occurred with the introduction of selective serotonin subtype 3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists, control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) with first-generation agents (ondansetron, dolasetron, and granisetron) is less than ideal. Palonosetron is a unique 5-HT3 receptor antagonist whose distinctive pharmacologic characteristics (ie, high 5-HT3 receptor binding affinity, prolonged half-life) result in superior clinical benefit. Superiority of palonosetron over ondansetron and dolasetron in the prevention of both acute and delayed CINV has been observed in each phase III trial conducted. ⋯ Unlike other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, palonosetron is also indicated for prevention of delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. Palonosetron exhibits an excellent tolerability profile, with frequency, severity, and duration of adverse reactions similar to that of comparator agents. Unlike older agents that are considered therapeutically interchangeable at equipotent doses, palonosetron should be considered a clinically distinct and superior treatment for the prevention of CINV.
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An understanding of the pathophysiology of nausea and the mechanisms of antiemetics can help family physicians improve the cost-effectiveness and efficacy of therapy. Nausea and vomiting are mediated primarily by visceral stimulation through dopamine and serotonin, by vestibular and central nervous system causes through histamine and acetylcholine, and by chemoreceptor trigger zone stimulation through dopamine and serotonin. Treatment is directed at these pathways. ⋯ Dopamine antagonists block dopamine in the intestines and chemoreceptor trigger zone; indications for these agents are similar to those for serotonin antagonists. Serotonin antagonists block serotonin in the intestines and chemoreceptor trigger zone, and are most effective for treating gastrointestinal irritation and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Complementary and alternative therapies, such as ginger, acupressure, and vitamin B6, have variable effectiveness in the treatment of pregnancy-induced nausea.
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J Am Acad Nurse Prac · Feb 2004
ReviewAcupuncture and acupressure for the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
To review existing research, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus statement, and federal regulations regarding the use of acupuncture and acupressure in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in order to give nurse practitioners (NPs) the information they need to provide the best care for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. ⋯ Even with the best antiemetic pharmacological agents, 60% of cancer patients continue to experience nausea and vomiting when undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Because the NIH supports the use of acupuncture for nausea and vomiting, the NP is obligated to be knowledgeable about the use of these and other effective complementary treatments in order to provide the best care.
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Review
Aprepitant: a review of its use in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Aprepitant (Emend) is the first commercially available drug from a new class of agents, the neurokinin NK(1) receptor antagonists. Oral aprepitant, in combination with other agents, is indicated for the prevention of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) associated with highly emetogenic chemotherapy in adults. In three randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials comparing aprepitant (125 mg day 1, 80mg once daily on days 2 and 3 or 2-5) plus standard therapy (intravenous ondansetron and oral dexamethasone) with standard therapy plus placebo, overall complete responses (primary endpoint, defined as no emesis and no rescue therapy) were seen in significantly more patients in the aprepitant arms (63-73% versus 43-52%, p < 0.01 for all comparisons). ⋯ In conclusion, when added to standard therapy (a serotonin 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist and a corticosteroid), aprepitant is effective and generally well tolerated in the prevention of CINV associated with highly emetogenic chemotherapy in adults. Despite marked advances in the prevention of CINV, standard therapy does not protect all patients. The addition of aprepitant to standard therapy provides an advance in the prevention of both acute and delayed CINV in adults with cancer.