The antiemetic efficacy and the cost-benefit ratio of ondansetron calculated with a new approach to health technology assessment (real cost-benefit index).
In a phase II study including 80 patients treated with highly emetic drugs such as cisplatin, carboplatin or cyclophosphamide > 600 mg/day) we confirmed the potential of ondansetron to prevent cancer chemotherapy- related acute nausea and vomiting. With a total dose of 19.0-37.3 mg ondansetron we achieved 82%-100% acute (0-24 hours) vomiting free patients. Using ondansetron for the prevention of acute nausea and vomiting increases the total chemotherapy costs by 6%. The real cost-benefit ratio for the treatment of acute nausea and vomiting shows better values for ondansetron than for all other recommended regimens.
Tanneberger
S
S
Divisione Oncologia Medica, Ospedale Sant'Orsola Malpighi, Bologna, Italy.
Lelli
G
G
Martoni
A
A
Piana
E
E
Pannuti
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000379:methods; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017294:Ondansetron