A Complete Guide to Treating Nausea and Vomiting in Chemotherapy Patients

Nausea and vomiting are undeniably the most unpleasant side effects among the ones that patients receiving chemotherapy suffer from. This devastating pair of states might not only affect physical health, but it is quite capable of evoking emotional deterioration. Naturally, this is in addition to a more difficult fight against cancer. As we go into the depths of protocols devoted to tackling those symptoms, nothing would matter than understanding the treasure trove of anti-nausea medications and supportive care measures at stake. We concentrated on a thorough discussion on both pharmaceutical medications and remedies which include the use of existing medications.

Top 7 reasons why antiemetics is important

Effective handling of nausea and vomiting occurring during chemotherapy for patients is extremely important for multiple reasons. First of all, it can maintain patients’ nutritional status and general health through proper balance of symptom control which may be disturbed and neglected if not addressed. For the second, it is a well known fact that the records of having good symptom control is directly proportional to the extent of adherence to prearranged chemotherapy appointments. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Prevention of Dehydration: Antiemetics are amental medications that help to minimize vomiting, which is a leading factor for dehydration.Serious dehydration may even result in further complications during chemotherapy.
2. Nutritional Support: Given antiemetic properties, such medications that are used for treatment of nausea and vomiting help a person to have normal food intake, which is vital for not only recovery but for the state of health in general.
3. Enhanced Treatment Adherence: Effective nausea and vomiting management translates into an adherence to chemotherapy schedules by an affected person and diminishes interruptions in the course of treatment, a decisive step towards desirable results.
4. Reduced Hospital Stays: Successful management of vomiting results in lowering the need for hospitalization down to dehydration or malnutrition; which consequently improves patient comfort and, in this case, medical cost.
5. Improved Quality of Life: Antiemetics provide an excellent quality of everyday life to the patients who if undergoing treatments which cause nausea, they do not introduce more suffering staying happier and the chance of emotional distress is less.
6. Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV): Certain antiemetics that specifically inhibit CINV, a typical and a very unpleasant side effect of chemotherapy which is one of the main reasons for stopping cancer therapy, are an instrument for ensuring the continuation of the cancer treatment in the patient.
7. Psychological Benefits: The proper management of nausea is instrumental in ensuring that the psychological well-being of the patient is not strained by the fear and anxiety that usually precede nausea and vomiting during treatment.

What are the 4 types of antiemetic treatment?

The existing antiemetic treatment consists of a synergic combination of medications where some are taken just before, during, and after the beginning of the chemotherapy. The type of antiemetics chosen is largely dictated by the emetogenic (involved in making people vomit) potential of the chemotherapy regimen.Commonly used antiemetics include:

1. Serotonin (5-HT3) antagonists: Antiemetic medications to eliminate acute vomiting are efficacious as ondansetron and granisetron.
2. Neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonists: Aprepitant and fosaprepitant are preferred for acute and delayed vomiting and nausea.
3. Dexamethasone: This anti-inflammatory is usually applied as an adjuvant to the other antiemetics to improve their effect.
4. Antipsychotics: Nausea and vomiting for which the patient earlier has not responded to the treatment with other medications could be relieved effectively using medications such as olanzapine.

Role of Esomeprazole & Domperidone in Managing CINV

While esomeprazole & domperidone (Esogress D Tablet) may not be the first-line treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), the medication helps support those with CINV who experience symptoms caused by gastric issues. Esomeprazole, a professional pump inhibitor, means that stomach acid is reduced, which in turn may be giving some relief from heartburn and also makes acid reflux that in most cases is worsening the feeling of nausea. On the other hand, Domperidone is simply a dopamine antagonist and contributes to digestive tract movements which causes the condition to become better.

Care beyond medication

Besides medication treatments, different non-medical efforts can be a great adjunct to symptom relief for patients on chemotherapy. It is imperative to pay special attention to diet; patients are recommended to eat small, frequent, bland meals without fatty, spicy or too sweet foods that usually cause nausea. In the same way, hydrating yourself helps in the thinning of the stomach acids to make nausea less severe. Besides, meditation, deep breathing, and aromatherapy could be relaxation methods that happen to be scientifically proven to reduce stress and eliminate nausea, providing the needed break from these upsetting symptoms.