Single-dose dexamethasone paclitaxel premedication.
Paclitaxel is one of the most active chemotherapy agents for the treatment of ovarian and other gynecologic cancers. Hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) remain one of the major clinical concerns in the use of paclitaxel. This report deals with 183 consecutive patients treated with paclitaxel chemotherapy. A total of 1010 cycles were administered. Premedication consisted of single-dose intravenous decadron, benadryl, and cimetidine administered immediately prior to chemotherapy. Four hypersensitivity reactions occurred. All patients recovered uneventfully from these reactions. Two of these patients received additional oral decadron followed by the standard premedication and were successfully retreated with multiple courses of paclitaxel therapy without reaction. Our findings confirm other reports that paclitaxel chemotherapy hypersensitivity reactions can be decreased with a single-dose intravenous decadron premedication regimen and that patients who do have paclitaxel HSRs may be safely retreated with paclitaxel.
Micha
J P
JP
Gynecologic Oncology Associates, Hoag Hospital Cancer Center, 351 Hospital Road, Suite 507, Newport Beach, California 92663, USA.
Rettenmaier
M A
MA
Dillman
R
R
Fraser
P
P
Birk
C
C
Brown
J V
JV
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D003907:Dexamethasone; D017239:Paclitaxel