Nausea and vomiting are very common symptoms in the day to day illnesses everyone get. Sometimes they can be symptoms of serious illnesses. Even though, it is a common symptom, it can become very troublesome one too. But there are effective drugs for this troublesome symptom. Some drugs are over the counter and others are prescription only.
Although troublesome, vomiting is a natural defense against the toxins and germs. To induce vomiting, the brain has two dedicated parts. First one is called the Chemoreceptor trigger zone (CMTZ) and other is the vomiting centre. CMTZ detects certain chemicals in blood and sends the signal to the vomiting centre to induce vomiting. In addition to receiving impulses from CMTZ, the vomiting centre receives other inputs from various brain areas, including inner ear (cause for motion sickness). Some drugs acts on CMTZ and others acts directly on the vomiting centre. Few other drugs act in less understood ways.
Usually doctors prescribe these drugs, when the diagnosis is sure. In addition, doctors usually do not prescribe vomiting medications in intestinal obstruction.
Promethazine (Avomine 25mg®)
This is an anti histamine medication, that acts on the Vomiting centre. It is an effective in motion sickness as well as in other causes of vomiting. But the side effects are really troublesome E.g. drowsiness, dry mouth and blurred vision. This is an over the counter medication in some countries.
Metoclopramide (Emenil 10mg®)
This is a prescription only drug in Dopamine receptor antagonist family. This medication acts on CMTZ and in the gastrointestinal system. This drug inhibits CMTZ and increases the gastro intestinal transition. Main side effect is abnormal movements called the extra pyramidal symptoms. They are caused by widespread dopamine blockade inside the brain.
Domperidone (Domstal®)
This is a similar drug to Metoclopramide. But drug concentration in brain is low after administration. So abnormal movements are very much less. In USA this drug is not yet approved.
Chlorpromazine (Largactil®) and Haloperidol
These drugs are primarily used in psychotic disorders, but they are effective in stopping vomiting as well. Due to their calming effect, it is used in patients with terminal illnesses. Action and side effects are similar to Metoclopramide.
Dolasetron (Anzemet®), Granisetron (Kytril®) and Ondansetron (Zofran®)
These prescription only drugs act on the serotonin receptors in brain and especially on the CMTZ. They are mainly used in cancer patients following chemotherapy.
Aprepitant (Emend®) and Fosaprepitant (Ivemend®)
These drugs act on Neurokinin 1 receptors. They are prescribed in cancer chemotherapy with other anti emetics medications.
Steroid Dexamethazone is also used in vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. Another drug used in vomiting in the condition called meniere’s disease is Betahistidine (Serc®).
Sources
British National Formulary
Although troublesome, vomiting is a natural defense against the toxins and germs. To induce vomiting, the brain has two dedicated parts. First one is called the Chemoreceptor trigger zone (CMTZ) and other is the vomiting centre. CMTZ detects certain chemicals in blood and sends the signal to the vomiting centre to induce vomiting. In addition to receiving impulses from CMTZ, the vomiting centre receives other inputs from various brain areas, including inner ear (cause for motion sickness). Some drugs acts on CMTZ and others acts directly on the vomiting centre. Few other drugs act in less understood ways.
Usually doctors prescribe these drugs, when the diagnosis is sure. In addition, doctors usually do not prescribe vomiting medications in intestinal obstruction.
Promethazine (Avomine 25mg®)
This is an anti histamine medication, that acts on the Vomiting centre. It is an effective in motion sickness as well as in other causes of vomiting. But the side effects are really troublesome E.g. drowsiness, dry mouth and blurred vision. This is an over the counter medication in some countries.
Metoclopramide (Emenil 10mg®)
This is a prescription only drug in Dopamine receptor antagonist family. This medication acts on CMTZ and in the gastrointestinal system. This drug inhibits CMTZ and increases the gastro intestinal transition. Main side effect is abnormal movements called the extra pyramidal symptoms. They are caused by widespread dopamine blockade inside the brain.
Domperidone (Domstal®)
This is a similar drug to Metoclopramide. But drug concentration in brain is low after administration. So abnormal movements are very much less. In USA this drug is not yet approved.
Chlorpromazine (Largactil®) and Haloperidol
These drugs are primarily used in psychotic disorders, but they are effective in stopping vomiting as well. Due to their calming effect, it is used in patients with terminal illnesses. Action and side effects are similar to Metoclopramide.
Dolasetron (Anzemet®), Granisetron (Kytril®) and Ondansetron (Zofran®)
These prescription only drugs act on the serotonin receptors in brain and especially on the CMTZ. They are mainly used in cancer patients following chemotherapy.
Aprepitant (Emend®) and Fosaprepitant (Ivemend®)
These drugs act on Neurokinin 1 receptors. They are prescribed in cancer chemotherapy with other anti emetics medications.
Steroid Dexamethazone is also used in vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. Another drug used in vomiting in the condition called meniere’s disease is Betahistidine (Serc®).
Sources
British National Formulary
No comments:
Post a Comment