morphine, toxic and metabolic vomiting

Last reviewed 01/2018

Nausea & vomiting may be due to:

  • drugs such as morphine
  • metabolic toxicity (uraemia, hypercalcaemia or ketosis)
  • sepsis or cancer toxins

Anti-emetics used include:

  • Haloperidol - first line
    • stat dose 1.5-2.5mg oral/s.c.
    • total dose 1.5-10mg oral/s.c. over 24 hours

  • Cyclizine - may be added as second line
    • stat dose 50mg s.c.
    • total dose 100-150mg s.c. over 24 hours

The respective summary of product characteristics must be consulted before prescribing any of the drugs mentioned.

Reference:

  1. West Midlands Palliative Care Physicians (2003). Palliative care - guidelines for the use of drugs in symptom control