Anti-emetics: Metoclopramide, Domperidone, Ondansetron.
Dr Sangeetha Govinda Rajoo, E-Learning Fellow in Clinical Pharmacology and Prescribing, Barts & The London SMD, QMUL.
Edited by: Dr Mel Lobo, Consultant Physician, Barts & The London NHS Trust.
Correspondence: s.g.rajoo@qmul.ac.uk
This module will cover 4 anti-emetics (from the list of 100 drugs commonly prescribed by FY1 doctors):
Metoclopramide, Domperidone, Ondansetron, Cyclizine.
It will take you through the following areas for each drug.
1) Pharmacology 3) Interactions
2) Indication 4) Adverse Effects
Image: Cyclizine was first discovered by Burroughs Wellcome (GlaxoSmithKline today) when researching anti-histamines. Cyclizine was found to be an effective and long-lasting anti-emetic. It was sold as Marezine in the US, and Marzine in France in 1965. The drug became popular when NASA used it as an anti-emetic for their first occupied moonflight. This image shows the packaging for Marzine showing an astronaut in space, presumably on the moon. ยน
Illustration c.1970i, Wellcome Collection.
Dr Sangeetha Govinda Rajoo, E-Learning Fellow in Clinical Pharmacology and Prescribing, Barts & The London SMD, QMUL.