title: Effects of ondansetron on gastrointestinal symptoms in carcinoid syndrome.
abstract: The effect of short-term treatment with the highly selective serotonin receptor antagonist ondansetron on symptoms and gastric emptying in 11 carcinoid patients was studied. Diarrhoea improved in 6 of 6 patients, nausea in 3 of 4 patients. Flushing was not affected. The rate of gastric emptying increased during ondansetron treatment (P = 0.08). No changes in serotonin in platelets and urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were found. It is concluded that ondansetron can improve gastrointestinal symptoms in carcinoid patients and possibly slows gastric emptying.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Wymenga
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Leijsma
authors.forename: I P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Kema
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kleibeuker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005483:Flushing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008303:Malignant Carcinoid Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017294:Ondansetron