A pilot study of metoclopramide, dexamethasone, diphenhydramine and lorazepam in prevention of nausea and vomiting in cisplatin-treated male patients.
In a pilot study we evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of a four-drug antiemetic combination (metoclopramide, dexamethasone, diphenhydramine and lorazepam) in cancer patients submitted to cisplatin chemotherapy at doses greater than or equal to 50 mg/m2. Fifty male patients entered the study. Complete protection from vomiting and nausea was obtained in 41 patients (82%) (95% confidence limits 71 and 93%). Toxicity was slight except for moderate sedation in 10% of patients necessitating their hospitalization. Only one extrapyramidal reaction (akathisia) was observed. When these results were compared to our previous experience in male patients treated with a combination of metoclopramide, dexamethasone and diphenhydramine without lorazepam, used at the same doses and schedule, no clear benefit and higher toxicity was observed.
Roila
F
F
Divisione Oncologia Medica, Ospedale Policlinico, Perugia, Italia.
Basurto
C
C
Bracarda
S
S
Picciafuoco
M
M
Ballatori
E
E
Del Favero
A
A
Tonato
M
M
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D014839:Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*
D003907:Dexamethasone; D004155:Diphenhydramine; D008787:Metoclopramide; D008140:Lorazepam; D002945:Cisplatin