Cinnarizine for prevention of nausea and vomiting during platin chemotherapy.
The antiemetic efficacy of cinnarizine was assessed in 17 cancer patients receiving platin-based chemotherapy (cisplatin dose-range 30-160 mg, or carboplatin 270-600 mg) in a randomised, cross-over study. The patients were prophylactically given oral metoclopramide 3 x 1 mg/kg and lorazepam 2 x 1 mg with or without cinnarizine 3 x 75 mg. The antiemetic combination with cinnarizine prevented emesis completely on 51% of 35 days with chemotherapy and less than 3 emetic episodes occurred on 86% of the days, compared with 43% and 57% (p less than 0.01) without cinnarizine respectively. Severe nausea was significantly less frequent with cinnarizine and 59% of the chemotherapy days were without nausea, compared to 46% of the days without cinnarizine (p less than 0.05). Side-effects were uncommon and minor with both antiemetic regimens. The study suggests that addition of cinnarizine to metoclopramide and lorazepam improves antiemetic prophylaxis in low to medium dose platin-based chemotherapy.
Wilder-Smith
C H
CH
Department of Medicine C, Kantonspital, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Schimke
J
J
Osterwalder
B
B
Senn
H J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000009:adverse effects; D002936:Cinnarizine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D002936:Cinnarizine; D016190:Carboplatin; D008787:Metoclopramide; D008140:Lorazepam; D002945:Cisplatin