Efficacy of Ondansetron in Preventing Nausea from Chemotherapy
Author Information
Author(s): C. Seynaeve, J. Schuller, K. Buser, H. Porteder, S. Van Belle, P. Sevelda, D. Christmann, M. Schmidt, H. Kitchener, D. Paes, P.H.M. de Mulder
Primary Institution: Rotterdam Cancer Institute/Dr Daniel den Hoed Kliniek, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Hypothesis
Is a single intravenous dose of 8 mg of ondansetron as effective as a 32 mg daily dose in preventing acute cisplatin-induced emesis?
Conclusion
A single intravenous dose of 8 mg of ondansetron is as effective as a 32 mg daily dose in preventing acute cisplatin-induced emesis.
Supporting Evidence
- 74% of patients in the continuous infusion group achieved complete and major control of emesis.
- 78% of patients in the 32 mg single dose group achieved complete and major control of emesis.
- 74% of patients in the 8 mg single dose group achieved complete and major control of emesis.
- 77% of patients in the continuous infusion group experienced no or mild nausea.
- 75% of patients in both single dose groups experienced no or mild nausea.
Takeaway
This study found that giving patients a single dose of ondansetron before chemotherapy works just as well as giving them a higher dose over a longer time to stop them from feeling sick.
Methodology
A multicentre, double-blind, randomised, parallel group study comparing three intravenous dosing schedules of ondansetron.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the exclusion of patients with prior anti-emetic therapy.
Limitations
The study did not include patients who had received anti-emetic therapy in the 24 hours prior to treatment.
Participant Demographics
263 male and 272 female patients, aged 18 and older, scheduled for their first course of cisplatin chemotherapy.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
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