ClassificationMedication and adult doseCost*Comments
AntihistaminesDiphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25 to 50 mg orally or IV every four to six hoursOral: $0.16 to $0.24 (generic) or $0.69 to $1.05 (brand) per dayThese agents more useful if nausea related to ambulation
IV: $1.86 per 50-mg vial (brand)
Meclizine (Antivert) 12.5 to 25 mg orally every six to eight hoursOral: $0.12 to $1.05 (generic) or $1.58 to $3.35 (brand) per day
Antipsychotics and related agentsHaloperidol (Haldol) 0.5 to 2 mg orally two to four times per dayOral: $0.50 to $2.05 per dayReasonable agent for treating nausea; multiple uses for haloperidol in palliative medicine
Prochlorperazine (Compazine) 5 to 10 mg oral or IV every six to eight hours or 25 mg rectally every 12 hoursOral: $2.67 to $3.24 (generic) or $3.21 to $4.28 (brand) per dayProchlorperazine less sedating than promethazine
IV: $6.70 per 10-mL vial
Suppository: $6.44 to $13.78 (generic) or $7.68 (brand) per day
Promethazine (Phenergan) 12.5 to 25 mg orally, IV, or rectally every four to six hoursOral: $1.74 to $3.06 (generic) or 17.49 to $26.24 (brand) per dayDopamine-blocking properties less than prochlorperazine; more antihistaminic qualities
IV: $2.29 (generic) or $2.97 (brand) per 25-mg vial
Suppository: $3.37 to $4.46 per dose
Prokinetic agentsMetoclopramide (Reglan) 5 to 10 mg orally or IV four times per dayOral: $0.42 to $1.70 (generic) or $3.12 to $5.04 (brand) per dayLower doses preferred in older patients; more useful if early satiety is the presenting problem
IV: $0.84 (generic) or $2.26 (brand) per 10-mg vial
Serotonin antagonistsGranisetron (Kytril) 1 mg orally or IV twice per dayOral: $104.24 per dayBecause of cost, this class best reserved for treatment failures; other serotonin antagonists also available
IV: $195.20 per 1-mg single-dose vial
Ondansetron (Zofran) 4 mg orally or IV two to four times per dayOral: $48.47 to $96.94 per day
IV: $25.60 per 2-mg single-dose vial