A Pharmacist's Review of Nausea and Vomiting

摘要

Pharmacists are often approached with questions regarding nausea and vomiting (N/V). After obtaining a patient history, therapy should begin by isolating the suspected cause, assessing severity, and referring to emergency care if warranted.The pharmacist may then make an evidence-based recommendation for pharmacotherapy, if needed. In cases of simple N/V, in addition to avoiding triggers, a variety of pharmacologic agents are available for treatment. In chemotherapy-induced N/V, high-emetic risk chemotherapy drugs can be identified and appropriate treatment selected. In postsurgical N/V, the risk for emesis can be predicted and effective recommendations made to prevent and/or alleviate symptoms. For cases of recalcitrant pediatric N/V, there are some medications that may be used with caution in children older than age 2 years.