Abstract
Nausea and vomiting induced by anticancer agents are common problems. In particular, cisplatin, the most popular anticancer agent against oral cancer, has severe nausea and vomiting. High-dose metoclopramide was used because its effect against cisplatin induced vomiting. However, it is not yet entirely effective. On the other hand, a novel antiemetic, 5-HT3 receptor antagonist is undergoing clinical evaluation.
In this study, the efficacy and safety of granisetron were compared with those of high dose metoclopramide plus dexamethasone in patients undergoing treatment with cisplatin. The results were as follows:
1. Granisetron and high-dose metoclopramide are effective in preventing cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting.
2. In the patients treated by granisetron compared with high-dose metoclopramide, the frequency of vomiting decreased, the appearance of nausea and vomiting were delayed, and the duration of nausea was shortened.
3. The effective rate of granisetron was 100% and that of high-dose metoclopramide 86.4% within 24 hours.
4. The side effects caused by granisetron were minimal.
The above results revealed that granisetron showed an excellent antiemetic effect against acute chemotherapy-induced emesis within 24 hours compared with high-dose metoclopramide.
