Nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy are most commonly treated with antinausea drugs, also called anti-emetics. These act in different ways to reduce nausea and vomiting. Some drugs last only a short time in the body, and need to be given more often; others last a long time and are given less frequently. Drugs are often used in combination for the most effective control.
To learn more about this treatment related side-effect, read the article 4 Questions on Chemotherapy Related Nausea and Vomiting.
The following drugs are commonly given alone or in combinations to treat nausea and vomiting:
- Prochlorperazine is a very commonly used agent used in all kinds of vomiting. It is effective in chemotherapy caused by low to medium risk drugs.
- Metoclopramide is an effective agent used in chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. It is available as pills and injections for administration in your veins.
- Ondansetron, Granisetron, Dolasetron and Palonosetron are specialized agents used for nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. They belong to the class of drugs called 5HT3 antagonists. These are extremely potent agents that are very effective nausea and vomiting of any severity. Palonoseteron is specifically indicated for delayed nausea and vomiting along with other agents.
- Dexamethasone and methylprednisolone are steroids. They have a definite role in adding to vomiting and nausea control when added to other antiemetic drugs. They are also often admistered before chemotherapy to prevent anticipatory nausea and vomiting.
The most commonly used combination of drugs used for control of nausea and vomiting caused by moderate to highly emetegenic agents include a 5HT3 antagonist like ondansetron and granisetron along with a steroid agent like dexamethasone.
- Aprepitant is a new agent that has shown efficacy in both acute and delayed nausea and vomiting. When added to 5HT3 antagonists, they have added benefit in controlling nausea and vomiting with highly emetogenic chemotherapy agents.
- Lorazepam, Alprazolam and Midazolam are anti-anxiety and sedative agents that are effective in controlling severe nausea and vomiting when added to standard anti-emetic combinations of 5HT3 anatagonists and steroids.
