title: Single 8 mg dose of oral ondansetron failed to prevent FAC chemotherapy-induced acute nausea and vomiting.
abstract: The aim of this open, nonrandomized, monocentric study was to evaluate the efficacy of a single daily dose of 8 mg oral ondansetron in the prophylaxis of acute nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy-naive breast cancer patients receiving their first cycle of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (FAC). Forty-five female patients were recruited, median age 42 years. The number of emetic episodes and the grade of nausea were recorded. 51% of patients achieved complete, and 9% major control of acute emesis. 33% of patients experienced no acute nausea, and in 18% nausea was mild. Complete protection from nausea and vomiting (complete prophylaxis) was obtained in 12/45 (27%) of patients. Treatment success (no vomiting with no more than mild nausea) was achieved in 18/45 (40%) of patients. We conclude that the efficacy of a single dose of 8 mg oral ondansetron in controlling acute nausea and vomiting induced by FAC chemotherapy is not high enough to justify its use as a sole antiemetic agent in outpatients.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, National Cancer Research Center, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Bosnjak
authors.forename: Z B
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Neskovic-Konstantinovic
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Jovanovic-Micic
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Mitrovic
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Radulovic
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017294:Ondansetron; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil