Antiemetic
Also known as: anti-sickness medicine
A medicine that prevents or controls nausea and vomiting.
Definition
Antiemetics are drugs used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, two of the most feared side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Modern regimens combine several classes — 5-HT3 blockers (such as ondansetron), NK1 blockers (such as aprepitant), steroids, and dopamine antagonists — given before treatment and for a few days afterwards.
With today's antiemetic protocols, the majority of patients receive chemotherapy without significant vomiting. Patients are encouraged to take antiemetics on schedule rather than waiting for nausea to start, and to report uncontrolled symptoms early so the regimen can be adjusted.
See also
- Chemotherapy — Drug treatment that kills cancer cells throughout the body.
- Mucositis — Painful inflammation of the mouth and gut lining that can occur during cancer treatment.
- Protocol — A standardised plan that specifies the drugs, doses and schedule for a course of cancer treatment.
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Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rehan Abdullah
Dr. Rehan Abdullah is a dual-trained clinical and radiation oncologist with over a decade of experience treating both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. He serves as Consultant Oncologist at INMOL Hospital and sees patients at Farooq Hospital and Healthnox Medical Center, Lahore. Read full profile →
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