The Role of 5-HT in Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

The discovery of potent, selective, 5-HT, receptor antagonists (see [17] for review) and the demonstration of their potent antiemetic activity in experimental animals [23] and man [6], has generated considerable interest in the control of the emetic reflex response. Indeed, selective 5-HT, receptor antagonists are now used clinically to control emesis induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy in cancer patients and in postoperative nausea and vomiting (table I). Both peripheral and central mechanisms are involved in the control of emesis [I]