title: Antiemetic efficacy of cimetidine randomized, double-blind, crossover study with dexamethasone in cancer patients receiving emetogenic chemotherapy.
abstract: In a randomized, double-blind, crossover study the antiemetic effect of cimetidine was compared with that of dexamethasone in cancer patients receiving emetogenic chemotherapy. Thirty-two patients were evaluable and all were chemotherapy-naive. Eight patients (25%) received high doses of cisplatin, 17 (53%) had cyclophosphamide in combination treatment, 2 (6%) received adriamycin, and 1 another chemotherapy of less emetogenic potential. Complete protection (CR) rates of 59.4% and 62.5% were achieved with cimetidine and dexamethasone, respectively. In addition, three (9.4%) and 1 (3%) patients attained partial protection with cimetidine and dexamethasone, respectively. No significant difference was noted between the two antiemetic therapies (p = 0.07). Although CR has not been achieved in any of those patients who received cisplatin, a comparable antiemetic effect was attained. Both antiemetic regimens were well tolerated with minimal side effects. We conclude that the antiemetic potential of cimetidine and its safety deserve further investigation in a larger study, perhaps in combination with other antiemetic agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, King Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: al-Ghamdi
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: al-Idrissi
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: al-Khatti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: al-Faraj
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D002927:Cimetidine