ISSN:
1569-8041
Keywords:
chemotherapy
;
clinical trial
;
emesis
;
5-HT3 antagonists
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Background: 5-HT3 antagonists are effective inreducing the acute nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. However,it is not clear whether continuing these agents beyond twenty four hours isuseful in controlling emesis on days two to seven after chemotherapy. Patients and methods: Four hundred seven patients receivingmoderately emetogenic chemotherapy who had been given dexamethasone 8 mg i.v.and either ondansetron 32 mg i.v. or dolasetron 2.4 mg/kg i.v. were randomizedto continue either an oral form of their 5-HT3 antagonist(ondansetron 8 mg b.i.d. or dolasetron 200 mg daily) plus dexamethasone 8 mgp.o. daily or dexamethasone alone for days two to seven. Endpoints assessedby self-report were: 1) complete control (no vomiting, no rescue medications,no missing data) of emesis; 2) nausea severity; and 3) quality-of-life asmeasured by the EORTC QLQ-C30. Results: Continuation of 5-HT3 antagonists improvedslightly, but not significantly, the complete control rate (47% vs.41%; P = 0.24 one-sided) after chemotherapy. However, mean nauseaseverity was significantly (P = 0.015 one sided) reduced (by 3 mm on a10 cm scale) on the combined arm. Minimal differences in quality of life wereobserved. Conclusion: The benefit of continuing 5-HT3antagonists beyond 24 hours is modest and the merits of routine use in thesecircumstances debatable.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008247830641
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