Nausea and Oncology Mini Series #6 (Drug list)
Acute and delayed nausea and vomiting with chemotherapy or radiation therapy are usually treated with drugs.
Drugs may be given before each treatment, to prevent nausea and vomiting. After chemotherapy, drugs may be given to prevent delayed vomiting. Patients who are given chemotherapy several days in a row may need treatment for both acute and delayed nausea and vomiting. Some drugs last only a short time in the body and need to be given more often. Others last a long time and are given less often.
The following table shows drugs that are commonly used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and the type of drug.
| Drug Name | Type of Drug |
|---|---|
| Chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, promethazine | Dopamine receptor antagonists: phenothiazines |
| Haloperidol, droperidol | Dopamine receptor antagonists: butyrophenones |
| Metoclopramide, trimethobenzamide | Dopamine receptor antagonists: substituted benzamides |
| Dolasetron, granisetron, ondansetron, palonosetron | Serotonin receptor antagonists |
| Aprepitant, fosaprepitant, netupitant, fosnetupitant, rolapitant | Substance P/NK-1 antagonists |
| Dexamethasone, methylprednisolone | Corticosteroids |
| Alprazolam, lorazepam | Benzodiazepines |
| Olanzapine | Antipsychotic/monoamine antagonists |
| Dronabinol, nabilone, cannabis, ginger | Other |
The following table shows drugs that are commonly used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by radiation therapy and the type of drug:
| Drug Name | Type of Drug |
|---|---|
| Granisetron, ondansetron, palonosetron, dolasetron | Serotonin receptor antagonists |
| Dexamethasone | Corticosteroids |
| Metoclopramide, prochlorperazine | Dopamine receptor antagonists |
It is not known whether it is best to give anti nausea medicine for the first 5 days of radiation treatment or for the full treatment course. Talk with your doctor about the treatment plan that is best for you.
Rachel Namery, MS
Manager of R&D, Formulator and Nutrition Coach
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