title: Antiemetic efficacy of an oral suspension of granisetron plus dexamethasone and influence of quality of life on risk for nausea and vomiting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the antiemetic efficacy of an oral suspension of granisetron/dexamethasone in patients receiving chemotherapy and to determine whether quality-of-life parameters influence the risk for postchemotherapy nausea and vomiting (PCNV).
  
  
  METHODS
  In an open monocentric study, an oral suspension containing 2 mg granisetron and 16 mg (4 mg for moderately emetogenic chemotherapy) dexamethasone was administered to 43 chemotherapy-naive patients before highly (n = 16) or moderately (n = 27) emetogenic chemotherapy and on the 3 subsequent days (2 for moderately emetogenic chemotherapy). Emetic episodes were recorded and quality of life was assessed prior to each cycle with a questionnaire based on EORTC QLQ-30.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the group undergoing highly (moderately) emetogenic chemotherapy, complete control of acute vomiting was achieved in 60-72.7% (92.6-95.0%), and complete control of delayed vomiting in 37.5-40.0% (75.0-92.2%), of patients within the first 3 (5) cycles. The following quality-of-life parameters were significantly associated with PCNV: tiredness (RR = 1.3, p < 0.05), pain (RR = 1.5), impairment of daily life by pain (RR = 1.7), sensation of abdominal pressure and fullness (RR = 2.5), impairment of social activities (RR = 2.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Once-daily oral administration of a suspension of granisetron/dexamethasone is an active prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting and compares favorably with data reported on intravenous administration. Quality-of-life parameters assessed pre-treatment could help to identify patients at high risk for nausea and vomiting so that antiemetic therapy can be tailored to individual patient risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine IV, Hematology/Oncology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany. Karin.jordan@medizin.uni-halle.de
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grothey
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kegel
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fibich
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schöbert
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D017829:Granisetron / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004338:Drug Combinations; D017829:Granisetron