title: The antiemetic efficacy of thiethylperazine and methylprednisolone versus thiethylperazine and placebo in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (fluorouracil, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide). A randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial.
abstract: Forty-six women with breast cancer treated with adjuvant FAC (fluorouracil, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) entered a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial in which thiethylperazine (T) (6.5 mg p.o every 8 h x 3 days) plus methylprednisolone (MP) (250 mg i.v. x 2 doses) was compared with thiethylperazine plus placebo. Forty-four patients were evaluable for efficacy. T + MP was significantly better in reducing vomiting (p less than 0.01) and nausea (p less than 0.02). The complete protection rate against vomiting was 36% for T + MP compared to 18% for T + placebo, and the percentage of nausea grades 0 + 1 (none or slight) was 59% and 27% respectively. The patient preference after cross-over was strikingly in favor of T + MP (70% versus 13%) (p less than 0.001). The most important side-effects of T + MP were facial flushing (22%) and euphoria (27%). Other side-effects, such as dryness of the mouth and sedation, were common after both treatments. In conclusion, the study suggested that T + MP is superior to T alone in protecting from nausea and vomiting induced by FAC.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Diaz-Rubio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosell
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Valerdi
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Larriba
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Barriga
mesh_terms: D000932:Antiemetics; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013847:Thiethylperazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D004317:Doxorubicin; D013847:Thiethylperazine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008775:Methylprednisolone