[Management of nausea, vomiting and anorexia due to anticancer agents].

Abstract

This report outlines measures for controlling nausea, vomiting, and anorexia caused by anticancer agents. Combination therapy with a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT3) receptor antagonist and a steroid preparation is effective for controlling acute vomiting. In the chronic stage, however, the response to 5-HT3 receptor antagonists is less marked, so a steroid preparation is used as the major treatment in combination with a 5-HT3-receptor antagonist or metoclopramide. The antiemetic effect of recently developed tachykinin NK-1 (NK-1)-receptor antagonists has been shown to be additive to that of existing treatments for acute and chronic symptoms, especially chronic nausea/vomiting. Steroid preparations have been shown to improve anorexia, while medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA: a synthetic progesterone) has been reported to improve anorexia and promote weight gain.

• Authors: Ken Shimada, Susumu Taguchi
• Journal: Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy (Gan To Kagaku Ryoho) Vol. 30 Issue 6 Pg. 760-4 (Jun 2003) ISSN: 0385-0684 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 12852341 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antiemetics
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Serotonin Antagonists
• Dexamethasone
• Prednisolone
• Cisplatin
• Methylprednisolone

Topics

• Anorexia (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Antiemetics (therapeutic use)
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects)
• Cisplatin (adverse effects)
• Dexamethasone (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Methylprednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Nausea (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Prednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Quality of Life
• Serotonin Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Vomiting, Anticipatory (drug therapy, prevention & control)