Tropisetron is a serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) antagonist that is primarily used in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Tropisetron blocks the action of serotonin at 5HT3 receptors on nerve terminals located in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as well as centrally in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). This results in the suppression of chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Use:
- For the prevention of nausea and vomiting induced by cytotoxic therapy (5 mg/5 mL ampoule) as six-day courses of 5 mg/day.
- For the treatment and prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting in adults (2 mg/2 mL ampoule) as a 2 mg dose given intravenously.