Emesis, or Nausea and Vomiting (NV), is a complex process that can be triggered by many convergent and divergent biological and physical pathways. It is one of the most common yet serious conditions to occur in patients in a multitude of clinical conditions. It is estimated that more than 30% of the world population experiences a significant episode of NV that requires medical intervention every year.

The prominent role of NV in reducing a patient’s quality of life has been widely documented in numerous clinical publications. The effects of NV on daily life can range from mild to completely debilitating, prolonging illness, interrupting or causing complications in treatment. It can often result in longer hospitalizations, and in extreme cases, cause death.

Current standard care treatment for NV includes complex pharmaceutical compounds called anti-emetics, such as 5HT3’s inhibitors, and the newer, NK1 receptor inhibitors. These anti-emetic drugs are among the most heavily prescribed class of pharmaceuticals in the world today.

Despite the significant pharmacological advance brought by the 5HT3s and the new NK1 class of antiemetic drugs, Emesis often remains poorly controlled, particularly with oral therapy. In addition, currently available pharmacological agents have many side effects and are unable to provide complete relief from Emesis. As such, for both care givers and patients, Emesis can have a serious effect on numerous clinical treatments and overall outcome.

Clinically, Emesis is a significant factor in post surgical patients, patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation for the treatment of cancer, pregnant women experiencing morning sickness, people who experience motion sickness, as well as other chronic disease states which require very heavy medication dosage (AIDS, Crohn’s, transplant, etc.).