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Granisetron Use Evaluation in cancer patients in KCC Hospital is described. Patients who had taken granisetron during six months from September 1997 to February 1998 were eligible. Exclusion criteria were brain tumor, major organ failure, and gastrointestinal disorder with possibility of nausea and vomiting. Drug Use Evaluation Criteria for granisetron were to assess the appropriateness, effectiveness and safety using data including patient demographics, dosage of granisetron, chemotherapy regimen, treatment outcome and adverse effects. Effective treatment outcome was defined as no more than two emetic episodes of vomiting and retching. 135 patients were included for evaluation and all were prescribed prior to chemotherapy for acute phase prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting. 96 patients received granisetron appropriately based on the classification Ⅳ and Ⅴ for emetic potential of chemotherapy regimen. Effective treatment outcome was observed in 267 out of 276 cycles (89.6%). Chemotherapy was completed on schedule in all the patients, and there were no complications due to excessive vomiting or retching. Adverse effects were reported in 50 cycles (16.8%) of chemotherapy, which were headache (18 cycles, 6.0%), constipation (11 cycles, 3.7%), diarrhea (15 cycles, 5.0%) and others 6 cycles, 2.0%). In conclusion, the appropriateness of granisetron should be improved through modification of medical insurance coverage and efficacy of recommended granisetron dosage should be more evaluated.
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