title: Single premedication dose of dexamethasone 20 mg IV before docetaxel administration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The administration of docetaxel requires the use of dexamethasone for the prevention of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) and fluid retention reactions (FRRs). The manufacturer recommends dexamethasone for 3 days starting the day before docetaxel. This regimen has the potential for nonadherence so the utility of a single dexamethasone dose would be welcomed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To ascertain the incidence of HSRs and FRRs after receiving a single dose of intravenous dexamethasone before docetaxel administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data set from an oncology clinic affiliated with a large, tertiary, academic, teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety patients (median age 59 years, range 40-92 years) with cancer (primarily breast cancer, nonsmall cell lung cancer and head/neck cancer) who received docetaxel.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with heart failure, renal failure, chronic edema, current steroid use and/or prostate cancer were excluded from the study. Seven patients (7.8%) experienced a HSR requiring a treatment intervention (fluid bolus, oxygen, steroid, and/or diphenhydramine). Eleven patients (12.2%) had documented fluid retention. The mean docetaxel dose at the onset of fluid retention was 247.2 ± 134.5 mg/m(2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This single center evaluation with a small sample size had the potential for incomplete collection of the adverse events from the medical records due its retrospective nature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypersensitivity reactions and FRRs occurred in 7.8% and 12.2% of patients, respectively. This is lower than the rates reported by the manufacturer with the oral premedication regimen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic, Temple, TX 76508, USA.
authors.forename: Jyoti D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Chouhan
authors.forename: Jon D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Herrington
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011292:Premedication; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013781:Texas
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D003907:Dexamethasone