Antiemetikus

Antiemetikus is a term used to describe substances or medications that prevent or alleviate nausea and vomiting. The term is derived from the Greek words "anti," meaning against, and "emetikos," meaning related to vomiting.

Antiemetic medications can be classified into two main categories: those that act on the brain or central nervous system to prevent or alleviate nausea and vomiting, and those that act on the stomach or peripheral nervous system to reduce vomiting. The central nervous system effects of antiemetics are typically associated with the administration of medications such as metoclopramide or ondansetron, which are used to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, as well as other causes of nausea and vomiting.

Antiemetics can be further categorized into several different pharmacologic classes, including dopamine antagonists, such as metoclopramide and domperidone, that block dopamine receptors in the brain; serotonin antagonists, such as ondansetron and granisetron, that block serotonin receptors in the gut and brain; and antihistamines, such as dimenhydrinate, that block histamine receptors in the gut.

Antiemetikus may have various side effects, depending on the specific medication and individual patient. Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. In some cases, long-term use or high doses of antiemetic medications may lead to more serious side effects, such as extrapyramidal reactions, a condition characterized by tremors, shakiness, or stiffness.