Neurokinin1-receptor antagonists for postoperative nausea and vomiting?

Abstract

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) can lead to delayed recovery time for an individual in the immediate postsurgical period, resulting in increased costs of care. While the long-term morbidity of PONV is relatively low, most patients are more concerned with how they will feel after a surgical procedure than they are about the occurrence of rare but serious complications. The introduction of selective serotonin ₃ (5-HT₃)-receptor antagonists has positively influenced the management of patients with PONV. Unfortunately, these agents are not 100% efficacious in all patients. Thus, a significant opportunity exists to extend the clinical efficacy achieved in this indication. An exciting new class of compounds, the neurokinin ₁ (NK₁)-receptor antagonists, is progressing down the R&D pipeline and it is hoped these novel agents will meet this need, delegates were told at the 72nd Clinical and Scientific Congress of the International Anaesthesia Research Society [ Orlando, US; March 1998 ].