Report on the antiemetic effectivity of a single 1 mg oral granisetron in moderately emetogenic chemotherapies of gynecological malignancies.
OBJECTIVE
On the basis of the relatively long 9-12 hour plasma-half-life of the highly selective serotonin antagonist granisetron (GRAN) and on observations that emetic episodes are detected mainly 10 hours after starting chemotherapy it was supposed that a single 1 mg oral GRAN (Kytril, SmithKline Beecham) is enough to prevent the emesis of moderately emetogenic chemotherapies.


METHODS
A total of 45 gynecological cancer patients were treated in 115 chemotherapy cycles with a single 1 mg oral GRAN in a prospective, non-randomized study. Patients stayed in hospital for 24 hours after chemotherapy and emetic episodes were registered on special charts.


RESULTS
A complete response (CR) of 83.4% was found in the 115 cycles. Thirty-seven of the total 45 patients with ovarian cancer had a 84.7% CR in the first 24 hours of chemotherapy. In 29 patients 50 mg/m2 cisplatin was administered with a 79.9% CR.


CONCLUSIONS
1 mg oran GRAN is a suitable antiemetic therapy in moderately emetogenic chemotherapies.
Lehoczky
O
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Gynecologic Oncology Department, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017829:Granisetron / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000932:Antiemetics; D017829:Granisetron