Usefulness of the dopamine system-stabilizer aripiprazole for reducing morphine-induced emesis.

In the management of pain, nausea and vomiting are some of the most distressing adverse effects induced by opioids. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the dopamine system-stabilizer aripiprazole on morphine-induced emesis. Morphine induced retching and vomiting in a dose-dependent manner in ferrets. The emetic effect of morphine was significantly suppressed by pretreatment with either the dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol or aripiprazole. These results suggest that the co-administration of aripiprazole may be useful for reducing the severity of morphine-induced emesis.