To investigate the status and tendency of utilization of drugs to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in Nanjing so as to provide a reference for the management of rational clinical use of these drugs.

The drugs to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting used in 46 hospitals of Nanjing during 2018-2021 were analyzed statistically regarding their types, consumption sum, defined daily doses (DDDs) and defined daily cost (DDC).

The consumption sum of 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT₃) receptor antagonist in 46 hospitals of Nanjing increased at an average annual rate of 17.78% and 12.39%, respectively, between 2018 and 2020. In 2021, the consumption sum decreased by 46.21%, showing negative growth. The DDDs of 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist increased slightly in 2019 and continued to decrease thereafter, with decreasing rates of 2.47% and 1.36%, respectively. The consumption sum and DDDs of the first generation 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist decreased, while palonosetron, the second generation 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist, increased steadily year by year. The consumption sum and DDDs of neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor antagonists increased significantly year by year. Fosaprepitant rapidly occupied the market of NK-1 receptor antagonist, which is about 20% market share in the first year and nearly 90% market share in the second year. In 2021, its DDDs increased by 923.44%. However, the consumption sum and DDDs of Aprepitant decreased significantly year by year.

The drug regimen for preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and the unreasonable application of fosaprepitant in Nanjing should be further paid attention to.