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Antiemetic Agents
Chapter 59
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Nausea and Vomiting
•
Most common and most uncomfortable complaints.
•
Vomiting is a complex reflex reaction to various stimuli.
•
In some cases, it may be desired to induce vomiting.
•
In many clinical conditions, the reflex reaction of
vomiting is not beneficial.
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Question
Please answer the following statement as true or false.
Emetic medications are used to induce vomiting and should
be kept in the home in case of an accidental poisoning.
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Answer
False
Rationale: Emetics cause vomiting and are no longer
recommended for at-home poison control.
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Managing Nausea and Vomiting
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Emetics
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Cause vomiting
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No longer recommended for at-home poison control
•
Antiemetics
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Decrease or prevent nausea and vomiting
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Centrally acting or locally acting
–
Varying degrees of effectiveness
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Sites of Action of Emetics/Antiemetics
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Groups of Centrally Acting Antiemetics
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Phenothiazines
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Nonphenothiazine
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Anticholinergics/Antihistamines
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Serotonin (5-HT
3
) Receptor Blockers
•
Substance P/Neurokinin 1 Receptor Antagonist
•
Miscellaneous Agents
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Phenothiazines
•
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
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Perphenazine (Trilafon)
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Prochlorperazine (generic)
•
Promethazine (Phenergan)
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Phenothiazines (cont.)
•
Actions
–
Depresses various areas of the central nervous
system (CNS)
