Abstract:
This chapter presents an overview and discusses the effects of various antiemetics. These drugs include cisapride, clebopride, domperidone, and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. Clebopride can cause extrapyramidal syndromes, ranging from transient dyskinesia to persistent parkinsonism and tardive dykinesia. The efficacy and adverse effects of domperidone and metoclopramide have been compared in a double-blind, multicenter, randomized trial in 93 insulin-dependent diabetics with symptomatic gastroparesis. The safety and efficacy of the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist alosetron in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome is reviewed. In patients with irritable bowel syndrome, alosetron increases colonic transit time and colonic compliance. Constipation is the most common adverse effect. Several histamine H2 receptor antagonists, such as like cimetidine, and ranitidine are discussed. The drug interactions associated with cimetidine are explained. Cimetidine can interact with other drugs by inhibiting hepatic cytochrome P450.