Management of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting using a serotonin antagonist.

Patients receiving chemotherapy continue to experience nausea and vomiting despite recent strides to understand the physiology of these symptoms and despite current antiemetic therapies. Ondansetron, a serotonin antagonist, has shown to be a safe and effective drug in alleviating nausea and vomiting. This research-synthesis article provides summaries of eight clinical trials completed between 1988 and 1991. It includes a discussion of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of ondansetron, suggestions for adverse events, and implications for nursing practice and future research.