Section Review Central & Peripheral Nervous Systems: 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists

Abstract

Antagonists of the serotonin 5-HT₃ receptor are clinically effective antinausea and anti-emetic drugs for the treatment of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and for patients undergoing procedures involving general anaesthesia. These compounds have also been evaluated for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, other painrelated disorders (including migraine) and a variety of central nervous system disorders (including anxiety, psychosis and the treatment of drug abuse). The status of research into potential clinical applications of these drugs is evaluated in this review. The evidence from preclinical and clinical studies is compared and avenues for future drug development using these compounds are discussed.