An evaluation of ondansetron and granisetron use in hospitalized patients was performed in Korea University Medical Center Anam Hospital.
Criteria for the evaluation of ondansetron use established by American Society Hospital Pharmacy and the evaluation of granisetron use partially modified from ondansetron´s criteria were used in order to evaluate the appropriateness, effectiveness and safety of ondansetron and granisetron therapy. The charts of 119 patients who received ondansetron and 110 patients who received granisetron were retrospectively reviewed from Jan.1, 1998 to July 30, 1998.
59(50%) of the 119 ondansetron patients and 90(82%) of the 110 granisetron patients received their antiemetics appropriately based in the emetic potential of their antineoplastic drug regimen. Only 46(39%) of the ondansetron group and 14(13%) of the granisetron group met the criterion for appropriate dosage. ´Complete responses´ of ondansetron and granisetron use evaluations, defined as no vomiting and no more than two episodes of nausea including no more than two p.r.n. doses of antiemetics, were observed in 108(91%) and 106(96%) in the outcome analysis, respectively. ´Major responses´, defined as no more than two episodes of vomiting and more than two episodes of nausea, were observed in 11(9%) of the ondansetron group and 4(4%) of the granisetron group. Adverse reactions including headache, diarrhea, constipation, sedation etc. were reported by 22(18%) of the ondansetron group and 5(%) of the granisetron group.
Ondansetron and granisetron use met all criteria except appropriate dosage and appropriate indication based on the antineoplastic drug regimen especially in the ondansetron group. Improved education of pharmacists and physicians about the use of ondansetron and granisetron would help to ensure proper prescribing.
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