A report comparing the use of tropisetron (Navoban), a 5-HT3 antagonist, with a standard antiemetic regimen of dexamethasone and metoclopramide in cisplatin-treated patients under conditions of severe emesis.

Abstract

This report of a double-blind, randomized study performed to evaluate the comparative antiemetic efficacy of tropisetron (Navoban; Sandoz Pharma Ltd, Basel, Switzerland), a new 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist, focuses on treatment during stages of chemotherapy when nausea and vomiting are particularly severe. One hundred fifteen chemotherapy-naive patients with malignant disease were administered either tropisetron (n = 58) or a dexamethasone dose plus a metoclopramide dose (n = 57) during 5 days of two successive cycles of chemotherapy. Within the first 24 hours after receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy, 76% of patients in the tropisetron group remained free of vomiting (with 59% of patients free of nausea) compared with 39% of patients free of vomiting in the conventionally treated group (30% of patients free of nausea). Improved control of emesis also was observed over 4 consecutive days of follow-up in the tropisetron group. The difference in incidence of nausea and vomiting between the patient groups was statistically significant (P < .05). The efficacy of tropisetron was well maintained during the second consecutive chemotherapy cycle; during the first 24 hours, 72% and 62% of patients remained free of vomiting and nausea, respectively. Tropisetron appears to be a highly effective, well tolerated, and simple to use antiemetic agent for patients receiving chemotherapy.

• Authors: G Madej, M Krzakowski, A Pawinski, W Lasota, W Rogowski, I Skoneczna
• Journal: Seminars in oncology (Semin Oncol) Vol. 21 Issue 5 Suppl 9 Pg. 3-6 (Oct 1994) ISSN: 0093-7754 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9113119 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Antiemetics
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Dopamine Antagonists
• Indoles
• Serotonin Antagonists
• Tropisetron
• Dexamethasone
• Metoclopramide
• Cisplatin

Topics

• Adult
• Antiemetics (therapeutic use)
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects)
• Cisplatin (adverse effects)
• Dexamethasone (therapeutic use)
• Dopamine Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Indoles (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Metoclopramide (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Nausea (chemically induced, prevention & control)
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Serotonin Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome
• Tropisetron
• Vomiting (chemically induced, prevention & control)