Alprazolam significantly improves the efficacy of granisetron in the prophylaxis of emesis secondary to moderately emetogenic chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Alprazolam, a newer benzodiazepine, may be useful in the control of nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients.


METHODS
Nineteen operable breast cancer patients were included in this randomized prospective crossover open-label trial. Patients received either granisetron (G) alone, or in combination with alprazolam (A). Group A patients received G+A first and then crossed over to G-alone after the 2nd or 3rd cycle. Group B patients received the reverse order. Eighty-four cycles were evaluated.


RESULTS
In group A, complete remission (CR) plus major response (MR) was higher (93.9%) with G+A than with G-alone (83.3%; p = 0.0001) in the first 24-hour period. In group B, CR plus MR was higher in G+A cycles (100%) than in G-alone cycles (85.7%; p = 0.035) in the 24-hour period and in the 25- to 129-hour period (92 vs. 90.5%, respectively; p = 0.022).


CONCLUSIONS
Alprazolam increases the efficacy of granisetron in patients with breast cancer treated with an anthracycline-containing regimen.
Abali
Huseyin
H
S.B. Ankara Numune Hastanesi Tibbi Onkoloji Kliniği, Turkije. habali1970@yahoo.com
Oyan
Başak
B
Guler
Nilufer
N
D000525:Alprazolam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D017829:Granisetron / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000525:Alprazolam; D018943:Anthracyclines; D000932:Antiemetics; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D015251:Epirubicin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D017829:Granisetron; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives