Corticosteroids in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most feared side effects of cancer treatment, despite the advances over the past decades. Corticosteroids have been shown to be effective in the management of CINV. These agents are usually used in combination with serotonin antagonists and neurokinin-1 antagonists for highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy or as monotherapy for low-emetogenic chemotherapy. Consensus guidelines provide guidance regarding the scenarios in which corticosteroids are recommended. This article reviews the mechanism of action, role, and safety of corticosteroids in the management of CINV.