Suitability of long-acting metoclopramide for prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced delayed nausea and vomiting.
Delayed nausea and emesis are common after cancer chemotherapy, especially cisplatin-containing regimens. Often no, or inadequate, prophylactic antiemetic cover is prescribed in these usually ambulant patients. Metoclopramide is a very effective drug in preventing the acute emetic and nauseating effects of cisplatin. The long-acting metoclopramide formulations (in the present study: Gastrosil retard) may be effective in preventing the delayed toxicity. 12-hourly dosing of 60 mg long-acting metoclopramide in a typical oncology ward situation led to stable metoclopramide levels of approximately 100ng/ml in the observed 74 h in 18 patients, with the well-known wide plasma concentration variability. The clinical efficacy of long-acting metoclopramide in this indication remains to be evaluated.
Wilder-Smith
C
C
Haematology/Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine C, Kantonsspital, Nuremberg, Fed. Rep. of Germany.
Schimke
J
J
Vergin
H
H
Senn
H J
HJ
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006801:Humans; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008787:Metoclopramide