Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting is a still significant problem in the care of patients receiving cisplatin based combination chemotherapy. Existing antiemetic regimens, such as high dose metoclopramide have demonstrated clinical
efficacy.
Recently the more effective regimens, such as ondansetron or ondansetron combined dexamethasone have been reported. Ondansetron, a serotonin antagonist have improved the treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. But the antiemetic
effect of
delayed emesis is questionable.
We compared the effectiveness and side effects of two antiemetic regimens using ondansetron alone versus ondansetron combined with dexamethasone, in the prevention of emesis induced by cisplatin based combination chemotherapy. A total of 43
patients
were enrolled and assessable for efficacy. Patients who received ondansetron plus dexamethasone had a higher complete antiemetic response rate(acute emesis : 78% vs 60%, p<0.05) than did those who received ondansetron alone. The time to first
emetic
episode was longer for patients in the group that received ondansetron plus dexamethasone(p=0.005). For the efficacy according to the dose of cisplatin, patients who received ondansetron plus dexamethasone had a better antiemetic response in
acute
and
delayed emesis(cisplatin 100mg/m2, acute : 71% vs 50%, p<0.05, delayed : 57% vs 42%, p>0.05). headache(9%), diarrhea(4%) and andominal colic(4%) were the most common antiemetic related adverse events. The incidence of adverse events was similar
between
the treatment groups.
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