Case scenario

Sally, 36, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She presents to her local pharmacy and requests advice about non-prescription treatments for constipation. Sally mentions that she commenced her first cycle of chemotherapy 5 days ago, and she shows you patient information about her chemotherapy regimen that she received from her hospital. She is receiving a combination of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, and this chemotherapy regimen is classified as highly emetogenic. You suspect Sally has received a combination of antiemetics, including an NK1 receptor antagonist, 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and dexamethasone. Sally confirms this. 

Learning objectives

After successful completion of this CPD activity, pharmacists should be able to:

  • Describe the pathophysiology of emesis in adults treated for cancer
  • Discuss management options for emesis in adults treated for cancer 
  • Explain how pharmacists can help manage adults with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Competency standards (2016) addressed: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.2, 3.1, 3.5

Already read the CPD in the journal? Scroll to the bottom to SUBMIT ANSWERS. 

Nausea and vomiting (or emesis) are common and often troubling side effects for many patients receiving cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or surgery). Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) can occur as a result of different anticancer treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and biological and molecular targeted therapies.1 Poorly controlled CINV can have a negative impact on patients, poten

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