Tag: 5 ht3 antagonists

Over 70% of people undergoing certain chemotherapy regimens experience significant nausea and vomiting, making antiemetics a crucial part of treatment. A key class of these medications are 5-HT3 antagonists, which block the effects of serotonin. This guide explains **what drugs are 5-HT3 antagonists** and how they provide relief for patients experiencing severe nausea.

In the mid-1980s, the discovery that serotonin is a key mediator of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) revolutionized antiemetic therapy. This breakthrough led to the development of a class of drugs that specifically target **5-HT3 receptors for nausea**, providing significant relief for patients undergoing cancer treatment and surgery.

Serotonin 3 receptor antagonists are considered the gold standard for preventing nausea and vomiting, especially that caused by cancer chemotherapy. This class of drugs, including well-known names like ondansetron, works by blocking specific serotonin receptors to control emesis and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Constipation is a well-documented side effect of certain classes of anti-nausea medication, particularly serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists like ondansetron [1.2.3, 1.4.1]. The answer to 'Does anti-nausea medicine cause constipation?' is yes, for some types.