ABSTRACT
Nausea and vomiting are predictable and well-publicized side effects of modern cancer chemotherapy. The general public is well aware of the emetic potential of chemotherapy and this knowledge accounts for much of the initial apprehension patients display when referred for oncologic treatment. Some patients ultimately refuse curative chemotherapy because of these side effects. Research interest in the improved use of antiemetics in cancer chemotherapy is relatively recent. Age is another patient characteristic that can affect response in specific antiemetic studies and may have other unrecognized impacts. Some phenothiazines with more potent antiemetic effects such as fluphenazine and trifluoperazine are associated with undesirably severe extrapyramidal side effects. In a fashion similar to metoclopramide, the butyrophenones came into vogue as antiemetics following the introduction of cisplatin chemotherapy. The initial use of steroids as antiemetics was based on the observation that steroid premedication seemed to result in less postoperative nausea and vomiting.
