Effects of ondansetron on gastrointestinal symptoms in carcinoid syndrome.
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.
Wymenga
A N
AN
Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
de Vries
E G
EG
Leijsma
M K
MK
Kema
I P
IP
Kleibeuker
J H
JH
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*
D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017294:Ondansetron