Economic and clinical burden of opioid-induced nausea and vomiting

ABSTRACT

Opioids are the standard of care for treating moderate-to-severe pain; however, their efficacy can be limited by adverse events (AEs), including nausea and vomiting. Opioid-induced nausea and vomiting (OINV) is an inherent adverse effect of opioid treatment, exerting effects centrally and peripherally. Opioid-related AEs can impact treatment adherence and discontinuation, which can result in inadequate pain management. OINV may persist long-term, negatively affecting patient functional outcomes, physical and mental health, patient satisfaction, and overall costs of treatment. Multiple factors may contribute to OINV, including activation of opioid receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone, vestibular apparatus, and gastrointestinal tract. Prophylactic or early treatment with antiemetics may be appropriate for patients who are at high risk for OINV.

KEYWORDS:

• Adverse events
• analgesics
• nausea
• opioids
• pain management
• pathophysiology
• pharmacoeconomics
• vomiting

Declaration of interest

Editorial assistance in the preparation of this manuscript was provided by Michelle Uberti, PhD, and Tim Connelly, PhD, ETHOS Health Communications, Newtown, Pennsylvania, with financial assistance from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., Parsippany, NJ, in compliance with international guidelines on Good Publication Practice. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Additional information

Funding

Sponsorship for this article and processing charges were funded by Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. Parsippany, NJ, USA.