title: Evolving treatment paradigms for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most debilitating toxicities associated with cancer treatment. Although effective antiemetic agents are available, their use in practice often is suboptimal.
  
  
  METHODS
  The author reviews the pathophysiology of CINV as well as the drug classes and cost considerations that should be incorporated into treatment planning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several drug classes, including 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonists, neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists, and corticosteroids, are effective, especially when used in combination. Older antiemetic agents, such as prochlorperazine and metoclopramide, as well as olanzapine may provide reasonable alternatives in certain settings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions for CINV should include standard-of-care antiemetics combined with corticosteroids. The cost of using older, less expensive antiemetics may be outweighed by the expenditures to rescue patients after suboptimal prophylaxis, as well as the indirect costs of missed work and lost productivity.
authors.affiliation: Northern Michigan University School of Nursing, Marquette, Michigan 49855, USA. rita_wickham@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wickham
mesh_terms: D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011346:Prochlorperazine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008787:Metoclopramide; D011346:Prochlorperazine