5-HT3 RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS

Antagonists of the serotonin 5-HT3 receptor are clinically effective a ntinausea and anti-emetic drugs for the treatment of cancer patients u ndergoing chemotherapy and for patients undergoing procedures involvin g general anaesthesia. These compounds have also been evaluated for th e treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, other pain-related disorders (including migraine) and a variety of central nervous system disorders (including anxiety, psychosis and the treatment of drug abuse). The s tatus of research into potential clinical applications of these drugs is evaluated in this review. The evidence from preclinical and clinica l studies is compared and avenues for future drug development using th ese compounds are discussed.