Antiemetic efficacy of alprazolam in the combination of metoclopramide plus methylprednisolone. Double-blind randomized crossover study in patients with cisplatin-induced emesis.
The usefulness of alprazolam (minor tranquilizer) used in combination with metoclopramide plus methylprednisolone for the prevention and control of emesis induced by chemotherapies, including 5-day continuous intravenous infusion of cisplatin (25 mg/m2/day) for advanced lung cancer, was evaluated using a double-blind randomized crossover design. In our study, 34 cases could be evaluated. No nausea was observed in 14 patients given alprazolam and 4 placebo (p < .01). The mean number of vomiting episodes was significantly smaller in the alprazolam group (1.31 +/- 2.61 vs 2.89 +/- 4.59 times) (p < .01). The mean duration of nausea and vomiting was significantly shorter in the alprazolam group (p < .001 and p < .01). From these findings, it can be concluded that the coadministration of alprazolam is effective in preventing and controlling chemotherapy-induced emesis due to 5-day continuous intravenous infusion of cisplatin in which mental and psychological factors are involved.
Department of Thoracic Disease, Tochigi Cancer Center, Japan.
K
K
Mori
Y
Y
Saito
K
K
Tominaga
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000525:Alprazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000932:Antiemetics; D004155:Diphenhydramine; D008787:Metoclopramide; D002945:Cisplatin; D008775:Methylprednisolone; D000525:Alprazolam