title: Antiemetic activity of megestrol acetate in patients receiving chemotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several trials had independently noted that patients receiving megestrol acetate had less nausea and vomiting, but this antiemetic activity of megestrol acetate has not been reported separately in the literature. Our objective was to evaluate the antiemetic ability of megestrol acetate in patients receiving chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients receiving chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive either megestrol acetate 320 mg PO or placebo before the first day of chemotherapy, followed on days 1-4 by megestrol acetate 320 mg PO combined with granisetron 3 mg IV and metoclopramide 20 mg IM or only granisetron 3 mg IV combined with metoclopramide 20 mg IM in a crossover manner during two consecutive cycles. Rates of complete protection against both vomiting and moderate-to-severe nausea was the primary end point.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred patients were enrolled in the study. The antiemetic regimen containing megestrol acetate was superior in providing complete protection from nausea and vomiting (45% megestrol acetate regimen vs.17% no megestrol acetate regimen). Complete response of acute phase in both antiemetic regimens was different (85% megestrol acetate regimen vs. 72% no megestrol acetate regimen). Complete response of delayed emesis was also different (49% megestrol acetate regimen vs. 18% no megestrol acetate regimen). Adverse events were mostly mild to moderate. There were no serious drug-related adverse events between the two antiemetic regimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Megestrol acetate was shown to be an effective antiemetic agent. Megestrol acetate might be a new antiemetic option for chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center of West China Hospital, SiChuan University, No 37, GuoXue Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610041, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zang
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Hong Feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Gou
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiao Juan
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: De Yun
authors.initials: de Y
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yali
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D017829:Granisetron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008535:Megestrol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D017829:Granisetron; D008535:Megestrol; D008787:Metoclopramide