ISSN:
1432-1335
Keywords:
Granisetron
;
Metoclopramide
;
Dexamethasone
;
Fractionated chemotherapy
;
Emesis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The antiemetic efficacy and safety of granisetron (40 μg/kg), a selective and potent 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) antagonist, was compared with that of metoclopramide (7 mg/kg) plus dexamethasone (12 mg) in patients receiving fractionated chemotherapy. Patients receiving cisplatin at doses of at least 15 mg/m2 or etoposide at least 120 mg/m2 or ifosfamide at least 1.2 g/m2 on each of 5 consecutive days were eligible. A total of 143 patients received granisetron and 141 received the comparator regimen. The 5-day complete response rate (no vomiting, no worse than mild nausea) for granisetron (46.8%) was equivalent to that for metoclopramide plus dexamethasone (43.9%). The overall 5-day response profile was superior for granisetron (P=0.013) because of fewer failures in this group. The overall incidence of adverse experiences was significantly lower in the granisetron group (60.8% versus 77.3%,P=0.003). Headache and constipation, more prevalent in the granisetron group, are recognized side-effects of serotonin antagonists. Extrapyramidal syndrome, not seen in any granisetron patients, occurred in 20.6% of comparator patients (P〈0.0001). The majority of granisetron patients only required a single prophylactic dose of the drug on each treatment day (at least 82%). In conclusion, granisetron showed at least equivalent efficacy to metoclopramide plus dexamethasone in patients receiving 5-day fractionated chemotherapy. In addition it offered a simple and convenient dosing regimen and a safer side-effect profile.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01686466
Permalink
