Pentobarbital's effect in a combination antiemetic regimen for cisplatin induced nausea and vomiting.
Twelve patients with histologically confirmed gynecologic cancer treated with a chemotherapy regimen containing cisplatin were randomized in a double-blind cross-over trial utilizing two antiemetic combination regimens during the first four treatment courses. Regimen A consisted of pentobarbital, prochlorperazine, and dexamethasone. Regimen B contained dexamethasone, prochlorperazine, and placebo. Patients chose Regimen A over B 70% of the time (p less than 0.0268). In 50% of the treatment courses, objective assessment of Regimen A's antiemetic effect was complete compared with 4.5% for Regimen B. Sleep and reduced apprehension of cisplatin-induced emesis were the major factors why patients chose Regimen A. The authors concludes that intravenous pentobarbital-induced sleep, when added to a combination antiemetic regimen, is effective in reducing vomiting episodes. Moreover, it provides a more pleasant chemotherapy experience in patients undergoing cisplatin containing chemotherapy.
Wheelock
J B
JB
D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010919:Placebos; D011346:Prochlorperazine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy
D010919:Placebos; D003907:Dexamethasone; D010424:Pentobarbital; D002945:Cisplatin; D011346:Prochlorperazine