Table 2.

Antiemetic therapy based on the mechanistic approach.2,4,5 Please consult the British National Formulary and the Palliative Care Formulary for doses. Parenteral administration is recommended if the patient is vomiting

Suspected cause of nausea and vomitingExamplesRecommended first-line antiemeticRecommended second-line antiemetic
ChemicalDrugs, biochemical disturbanceHaloperidolLevomepromazine
Impaired gastric emptyingGastric stasis, drugsMetoclopramideLevomepromazine
Visceral/serosalBowel obstruction, constipationCyclizineLevomepromazine
CranialSpace occupying lesion, radiotherapyCyclizineLevomepromazine
VestibularBase of skull tumourCyclizineLevomepromazine
CorticalAnxiety, painBenzodiazepinesLevomepromazine