Antiemetic

An antiemetic is a medicine that prevents or relieves nausea and vomiting by acting on pathways involved in the vomiting reflex.

Chemoreceptor trigger zone: A brainstem region that detects blood-borne substances and helps initiate vomiting. Many antiemetics reduce vomiting by blocking signals reaching this trigger region.
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: Nausea and vomiting caused by anticancer drugs, with severity varying by treatment and patient. This setting commonly calls for combinations that block several emetic pathways.
Nausea: An unpleasant sensation associated with the urge to vomit. Nausea is a subjective symptom that may persist even when vomiting is prevented.
Ondansetron: A selective serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting. It exemplifies receptor-targeted treatment for chemotherapy-related and postoperative symptoms.
Vomiting reflex: A coordinated brainstem-driven response that expels stomach contents through retching and vomiting. Antiemetics work by suppressing one or more pathways in this reflex.
Postoperative nausea and vomiting: Nausea or vomiting occurring after surgery, often influenced by anesthesia, opioids, and patient factors. Preventive antiemetic regimens are chosen according to surgical and individual risk.
Emesis: The forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. Stopping emesis does not necessarily relieve the sensation of nausea.
Metoclopramide: A dopamine D2 receptor antagonist with prokinetic effects, used for nausea and certain gastric motility problems. Its combined dopamine-blocking and gut-motility actions distinguish it from ondansetron.
Serotonin 5-HT3 receptor: A serotonin receptor found on vagal nerves and in the brainstem that transmits signals associated with nausea and vomiting. Blocking this receptor is a major way to prevent nausea from chemotherapy or surgery.
Motion sickness: Nausea and related symptoms caused by conflicting signals about movement from the senses and vestibular system. Antihistamines and anticholinergics can suppress the vestibular signals that provoke it.

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