Nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy: prevention and treatment guidelines

  • Rodrigo Fresco Universidad de la República, Facultad de Medicina, Servicio de Oncología Clínica, Oncología Médica, Asistente
  • Liliana Suárez Universidad de la República, Facultad de Medicina, Servicio de Oncología Clínica, Oncología Médica, Asistente. Especialista en Oncología Médica
Keywords: EMESIS, NAUSEA, CHEMOTHERAPY, ANTIEMETICS

Abstract

Nausea and vomiting are among the most frequent adverse reactions of chemotherapy. Control of acute emesis and vomiting might improve quality of life and compliance to treatment. Althought many other anti-emetic strategies are more efficient, chemotherapy’s overuse and misuse are frequent.
The aim of the study is to determine precise and adjusted guidelines for the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting provoked by chemotherapy.
Emesis was the main risk factor for nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy. Like all risk factors, it depends on patients and treatment. A 5HT3 antagonist plus corticoid combination prevents acute emesis in situations at high risk for nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy (cisplatine, ciclofosfamide, adriamicine among others). 5HT3 antagonist for profilaxis of later emesis has not been proved as more efficient than other choices, its use –at least at the beginning of the treatment– is not recommended due to its high cost. Treatment with corticoids or metoclopramide is recommended for cases at intermediate risk (5-fu, taxane, eoposide). At low risk (belomicine, vinca) profilaxis of nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy is not suggested. Oral antiemetic is first-line choice because it is equally efficient than intravenous antiemetic, more convenient and availabe at low cost.

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Published
2004-08-31
How to Cite
1.
Fresco R, Suárez L. Nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy: prevention and treatment guidelines. Rev. Méd. Urug. [Internet]. 2004Aug.31 [cited 2024Nov.17];20(2):120-9. Available from: http://www2.rmu.org.uy/ojsrmu311/index.php/rmu/article/view/917
Section
Review or Update and Updates