The influence of dexamethasone in the decrease of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of dexamethasone in the decrease of cisplatin and etoposide-induced nausea and vomiting in patients treated for lung cancer during and after 2 chemotherapy cycles.


METHODS
The analysis included 60 patients with histologically proven lung cancer, who were divided in two groups. Group A consisted of 30 patients who received cisplatin and etoposide with standard antiemetic drugs: ondansetron [serotonin receptor antagonist (5-HT(3) antagonist)] and metoclopramide (dopamine receptor antagonist). Group B consisted of 30 patients who received the same chemotherapy regimen with the previous antiemetic therapy plus dexamethasone 8 mg intravenously (i.v.) per day during the 3 days of chemotherapy. During and after the 3-day therapy, patients filled in a questionnaire issuing adverse effects of chemotherapy concerning many symptoms including nausea and vomiting. The results were statistically processed.


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in the frequency and toxicity of nausea, acute and delayed vomiting in the group of patients who received antiemetic treatment with ondansetron, metoclopramide plus dexamethasone.


CONCLUSIONS
Dexamethasone administered with 5-HT(3) antagonists and dopamine receptor antagonists significantly decreases the chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Sarcev
T
T
Clinic for Pulmonary Oncology, Department for Invasive Diagnostics, Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica, Medical Faculty, University of Novi Sad, Serbia. tians@eunet.yu
Secen
N
N
Povazan
Dj
Dj
Sabo
A
A
Popovic
J
J
Bursac
D
D
Kakas
M
M
Zaric
B
B
Milovancev
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron; D005047:Etoposide; D003907:Dexamethasone; D008787:Metoclopramide; D002945:Cisplatin