title: Comparison of ondansentron versus ondansentron plus methylprednisolone as antiemetic prophylaxis during cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
abstract: We compared the antiemetic efficacy of ondansentron versus ondansentron and corticosteroids in cisplatin-induced emesis. None of our patients had received prior chemotherapy. All patients received chemotherapy including cisplatin 100 mg/m2. Forty patients received ondansentron alone (Group A) and 40 the combination of ondansentron and methylprednisolone (Group B). Ondansentron was given at a dose of 8 mg in 100 mL N/S over 10 min by intravenous infusion. The initial dose was administered before the cisplatin and was followed by 8 mg orally in the afternoon and before sleeping the first day of chemotherapy. During the next 2 days, the patients received 8 mg orally 3 times daily. Methylprednisolone was given as an intravenous bolus of 40 mg before chemotherapy and then together with each dose of ondansentron at a dose of 16 mg orally. Group A had significantly longer duration of nausea after chemotherapy than group B (117 +/- 111 min, 62 +/- 71 min, P < 0.013). The response on emesis was also improved in group B, especially the day of chemotherapy [treatment failure: group A: 13 patients (30%) versus group B: 5 patients (11.6%), P < 0.03] and the next day [complete response: group A: 17 patients (39.5%) versus group B: 30 patients (69.7%), P < 0.005]. Patients in group B presented more sedative effects (P < 0.001) and better appetite (P < 0.02) than patients in group A. There were no other significant differences in side effects (activity, headache, constipation, etc). We conclude that corticosteroids improve the antiemetic efficacy of ondansentron in cisplatin-induced chemotherapy, and should be included in antiemetic regimens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathologic Physiology, University of Athens, Laiko Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tsavaris
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mylonakis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bacoyiannis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Katsikas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lioni
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kosmidis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D014839:Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D017294:Ondansetron; D002945:Cisplatin; D008775:Methylprednisolone