ANTIEMETIC DRUG

Gastrointestinal Drug

Prepared By,
Foo Yue Chen, Shanon
BNUR 1709 1659
Definition
• Antiemetic drugs are types of chemical that help ease
symptoms of nausea, vomiting, dizziness.

• Used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by:-

• Medications
• Motion sickness
• Infections
• Stomach flu

• Neurotransmitter (serotonin) blocker.

Types of antiemetic drug:
• Each type designed to work in different situations.

Antiemetic drugs for:-

1. Motion sickness
2. Surgery
3. Cancer patient & Chemotherapy
4. Stomach flu
5. Pregnancy
1. Antiemetic for Motion Sickness (Antihistamine)

a) Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Gravol)

• Route: Oral
• Side effects: Drowsiness, constipation, blurred vision, dry mouth, get
excited (children)

b) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Route: Oral (Tablet)
• Other uses: Treat allergy, hay fever, common cold.
• Side effects: Drowsiness, constipation, stomach upset, dry mouth

c) Meclizine (Bonine)
• Route: Oral (Chewable tablet)
• Side effects: Drowsiness, dry mouth, tiredness
d) Promethazine (Phenergan)
• Route: Oral
• Other uses: Treat allergy symptoms (rash, itch, running nose), to help
feel sleepy, narcotic pain reliever.
• Side effects: Drowsiness, constipation, blurred vision, dry mouth

* Usually taken 30-60 minute before journey.

2. Antiemetic for Surgery.
(Serotonin & dopamine receptor blockers, Corticosteroids)
a) Dexamethasone (Decadron)
• Route: Oral (Taken with food)
• Other uses: Treat arthritis, blood/hormone/immune system disorder and
cancer.
• Side effects: Stomach upset, headache, dizziness, menstrual changes, trouble
sleeping, increased appetite/weight gain.

b) Droperidol (Inapsine)
• Route: IV
• Other uses: Used as sedative and tranquilizers.
• Side effects: Drowsiness, felling restless/anxious.

c) Granisetron
• Route: Oral
• Other uses: Treat symptoms for cancer, chemo and radiotherapy
• Side effects: Diarrhea, constipation, stomachache, weakness, headache, fever,
trouble sleeping, anxiety.
d) Metoclopramide (Reglan)
• Route: IV, Oral (Taken before meal, tablet will dissolve itself)
• Other uses: Treat heart burn and gastroparesis.
• Side effects: Drowsiness, tiredness, trouble sleeping, agitation,
headache, diarrhea.

e) Ondansetron (Zofran)
• Route: IV (Given with other drugs 30min before chemo)
• Other uses: Treat nausea and vomiting after chemo.
• Side effects: Headache, fever, dizziness, tiredness, constipation,
redness/pain at injection site, blurred vision.

* Usually given after surgery/anesthesia.

3. Antiemetic for cancer patient & chemotherapy.
(Serotonin, dopamine & NK 1 receptor blockers, Corticosteroids)

a) Aprepitant (Emend)
• Route: Oral (Capsule taken with other drug 1hr before chemo, 3hrs
before surgery)
• Other uses: Treat symptoms after surgery.
• Side effects: Tiredness, hiccup.

b) Dexamethasone (Decadron)
• Route: Oral (Taken with food)
• Other uses: Treat arthritis, blood/hormone/immune system disorder.
• Side effects: Stomach upset, headache, dizziness, menstrual changes,
trouble sleeping, increased appetite/weight gain.
a) Dolasetron (Anzemet)
• Route: Oral (Tablet taken 1hr before chemo)
• Other uses: Treat symptoms after surgery.
• Side effects: Headache, diarrhea, tiredness, dizziness.

d) Granisetron
• Route: Oral
• Other uses: Treat symptoms after surgery.
• Side effects: Diarrhea, constipation, stomachache, weakness, headache,
fever, trouble sleeping, anxiety.

e) Ondansetron (Zofran)
• Route: IV (Given with other drugs 30min before chemo)
• Other uses: Treat symptoms after surgery.
• Side effects: Headache, fever, dizziness, tiredness, constipation,
redness/pain at injection site, blurred vision.
f) Palonosetron (Aloxi)
• Route: IV (Given 30min before chemo)
• Other uses: Pain/redness/swelling at injection site, headache,
constipation, diarrhea.

g) Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
• Route: Oral
• Side effects: Drowsiness, blurred vision, constipation, dry mouth

h) Rolapitant (Varubi)
• Route: Oral (Taken with other drugs 2hrs before chemo)
• Side effects: Stomach upset, mouth sores
4. Antiemetic for stomach flu / gastroenteritis.

a) Sodium citrate / dextrose / fructose (Nauzene)

• Route: IV
• Side effects: Diarrhea, stomach cramp.

b) Phosphoric acid (Emetrol)

• Route: Oral
• Side effects: Fainting, swelling face/arms/legs, unusual bleeding, weight
loss.

c) Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)

• Route: Oral (Chewable tablet)
• Other uses: Treat upset stomach and heart burn.
• Side effects: Darkening of stools and tongue.
5. Antiemetic during pregnancy.

a) Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Gravol)

• Route: Oral
• Side effects: Drowsiness, constipation, blurred vision, dry mouth.

b) Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
• Route: Oral
• Side effects: Drowsiness, blurred vision, constipation, dry mouth

c) Promethazine (Phenergan)
• Route: Oral
• Other uses: Treat allergy symptoms (rash, itch, running nose), to help
feel sleepy, narcotic pain reliever.
• Side effects: Drowsiness, constipation, blurred vision, dry mouth
d) Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
• Route: Oral
• Other uses: Treat heart disease, high cholesterol, pre-menstrual
syndrome.
• Side effects: Stomach pain, headache, sleepiness, brain/nerve problem.

e) Metoclopramide (Reglan)
• Route: IV, Oral (Taken before meal, tablet will dissolve itself)
• Other uses: Treat heart burn and gastroparesis.
• Side effects: Drowsiness, tiredness, trouble sleeping, agitation,
headache, diarrhea.

* Usually prescribed only in severe situations.

Reference
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320384.php
(Accessed on: 1st October 2018)
• https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/index (Accessed on: 1st
October 2018)
• https://www.drugs.com/condition/nausea-vomiting.html
(Accessed on: 1st October 2018)