Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting: Pharmacotherapy Update and Trends for Better Control

Nausea and vomiting are major concerns for patients who have to receive chemotherapy for an underlying malignancy. In this review, these concerns faced by patients receiving chemotherapy are presented along with discussion of the mechanisms of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Major targets of the 5HT3 antagonists, the NK1 antagonists and the dopamine antagonists are discussed along with the commonly utilized anti-emetics. The guidelines for use of these supportive care measures are reviewed along with drug-drug interactions of the available anti-emetics and chemotherapy. The cost effectiveness of using antiemetics is presented with a discussion of the limitation of the currently available studies. The need for additional studies to guide health care providers regarding the best use of anti-emetics for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting is discussed.