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MORE ON ONDANSETRON FOR CISPLATIN-INDUCED NAUSEA.

Current antiemetic regimens for patients treated with cisplatin are not completely effective and often induce side effects of their own. Studies suggest that ondansetron (GR 38032F), a selective serotonin antagonist, is safe and highly effective (see accession number 900330002). These researchers tested ondansetron in 36 cancer patients receiving a four- to five-day course of cisplatin combination chemotherapy. Two groups, one with and one without a previous history of chemotherapy, received ondansetron at six-hour intervals. A third group, with no previous chemotherapy, received the drug every two hours.

Of the 35 evaluable patients, 10 (29 percent) had no nausea or vomiting over the course of chemotherapy, while 18 (51 percent) had two episodes or fewer. Better responses occurred in patients receiving ondansetron every two hours than those receiving it every six hours, and in patients who had not received prior chemotherapy than those who had. The drug's effect was greatest on day one (when 77 percent of patients were free of nausea or vomiting) and diminished thereafter. Headache was the most common side effect; there was no evidence of sedation or extrapyramidal effects.

This study provides further evidence that ondansetron is an effective antiemetic with few adverse effects.

— HGA

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine May 1, 1990

Citation(s):

Einhorn LH et al. Ondansetron: a new antiemetic for patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol 1990 Apr 8 731-735.

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