Reducing Vomiting from Carboplatin with Ondansetron
Author Information
Author(s): V.J. Harvey, B.D. Evans, P.L.R. Mitchell, D. Mak, L.M. Neave, G.B. Langley, D.S.P. Dickson
Primary Institution: Auckland Hospital
Hypothesis
Can ondansetron effectively reduce vomiting in patients receiving carboplatin chemotherapy?
Conclusion
Ondansetron is highly effective in controlling vomiting and nausea in patients receiving carboplatin who were previously refractory to standard antiemetic regimens.
Supporting Evidence
- 68% of patients experienced no vomiting in the first 24 hours after treatment.
- 56% of patients had complete control of vomiting over the full 5 days.
- 22 patients preferred ondansetron for future chemotherapy.
- Only three patients experienced reduced efficacy with subsequent chemotherapy cycles.
Takeaway
This study shows that ondansetron can help people who feel sick and throw up after getting a specific cancer treatment called carboplatin.
Methodology
Patients who vomited three or more times in the first 24 hours of previous chemotherapy were treated with ondansetron and assessed for vomiting and nausea control.
Limitations
The study did not assess ondansetron's effectiveness in chemotherapy-naive patients.
Participant Demographics
Twenty-three women with ovarian cancer and two men with testicular cancer, median age 52 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.002
Statistical Significance
p<0.002
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