A report comparing the use of tropisetron (Navoban), a 5-HT3 antagonist, with a standard antiemetic regimen of dexamethasone and metoclopramide in cisplatin-treated patients under conditions of severe emesis.
This report of a double-blind, randomized study performed to evaluate the comparative antiemetic efficacy of tropisetron (Navoban; Sandoz Pharma Ltd, Basel, Switzerland), a new 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist, focuses on treatment during stages of chemotherapy when nausea and vomiting are particularly severe. One hundred fifteen chemotherapy-naive patients with malignant disease were administered either tropisetron (n = 58) or a dexamethasone dose plus a metoclopramide dose (n = 57) during 5 days of two successive cycles of chemotherapy. Within the first 24 hours after receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy, 76% of patients in the tropisetron group remained free of vomiting (with 59% of patients free of nausea) compared with 39% of patients free of vomiting in the conventionally treated group (30% of patients free of nausea). Improved control of emesis also was observed over 4 consecutive days of follow-up in the tropisetron group. The difference in incidence of nausea and vomiting between the patient groups was statistically significant (P < .05). The efficacy of tropisetron was well maintained during the second consecutive chemotherapy cycle; during the first 24 hours, 72% and 62% of patients remained free of vomiting and nausea, respectively. Tropisetron appears to be a highly effective, well tolerated, and simple to use antiemetic agent for patients receiving chemotherapy.
Madej
G
G
Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Centre, Warsaw, Poland.
Krzakowski
M
M
Pawinski
A
A
Lasota
W
W
Rogowski
W
W
Skoneczna
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077526:Tropisetron; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control
D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D007211:Indoles; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D000077526:Tropisetron; D003907:Dexamethasone; D008787:Metoclopramide; D002945:Cisplatin