Comparison of the efficacy and side-effects of ondansetron and metoclopramide-diphenhydramine administered to control nausea and vomiting in children treated with antineoplastic chemotherapy: a prospective randomized study.
Nausea and vomiting following antineoplastic therapy in patients receiving chemotherapy remains a problem. To prevent nausea and vomiting due to antineoplastic therapy, many types of drugs have been used. Ondansetron and the combination metoclopramide-diphenhydramine have been widely used in children. In this prospective randomized study these drugs were compared both for their efficacy and side-effects in children treated with antineoplastic chemotherapy (with and without cisplatin) the number of chemotherapy courses being equal in both groups. Ondansetron gave complete anti-emetic cover in five of nine courses in patients treated with cisplatin. Metoclopramide-diphenhydramine gave complete anti-emetic cover in one out of nine courses, and 17 out of 23 courses in patients treated without cisplatin. Metoclopramide-diphenhydramine produced side effects in nine courses whereas ondansetron produced side-effects in three courses.


CONCLUSIONS
Ondansetron appeared to be superior to metoclopramide-diphenhydramine in the control of emesis induced by chemotherapy regimens containing cisplatin. The results of the present prospective randomized study indicate that ondansetron is a useful anti-emetic in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced emesis.
Köseoglu
V
V
Department of Paediatric Oncology, Gülhane Military Medical Academy and Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. vedatnur@superonline.com
Kürekçi
A E
AE
Sarici
U
U
Atay
A A
AA
Ozcan
O
O
Sorici
U
U
D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017294:Ondansetron; D004155:Diphenhydramine; D008787:Metoclopramide