Chemotherapy induced nausea AND vomiting (CINV)

Chemotherapy is the first line treatment in management of many cancers, both for cure and palliation; hence it’s crucial to minimize the unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy to increase tolerability to chemotherapy. Most of the conventional anti cancer drugs are emetogenic. Patients receiving chemotherapy experience different degrees of nausea and vomiting depending on the emetogenic potential of the anti cancer drugs given and the patient characteristics. With a better understanding of the pathophysiology, distinct phases of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) i.e., acute emesis, delayed emesis and anticipatory emesis have been identified. Identification of various mediators has led to the development of different drugs acting through different mechanisms which are useful in the prevention and treatment of CINV. Serotonin receptor three (5-HT3) antagonists, corticosteroids and neurokinin type one receptor (NK-1) antagonists are of proven usefulness and have wide therapeutic indexes in the prevention of CINV. Other drugs like dopamine receptor antagonists & benzodiazepines are not routinely used because of their narrow therapeutic index. Practice guidelines for prevention of CINV will not only improve patient’s tolerability to chemotherapy & wellbeing, but also decrease hospital stay and overall cost of treatment of the patient. [Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol 2012; 1(3.000): 125-131]