A new class of antiemetics: the NK-1 receptor antagonists

Emesis is one of the most unpleasant and debilitating side effects of antic ancer chemotherapy. In acute emesis (vomiting occurring 0-24 hours after ch emotherapy administration), the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and corticostero ids are highly effective, with few significant side effects, and can safely be combined. Delayed emesis (vomiting occurring >24 hours after chemothera py administration), however, is both not well understood and less well cont rolled. Studies have yielded conflicting results concerning the use of 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists alone in delayed emesis. The data of NK-1 receptor antagonists in the control of acute emesis, altho ugh promising, need confirmation in a properly designed study. Curr Opin On col 2000, 12:284-288 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.