A comparison of ondansetron with metoclopramide in the prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a randomized, double-blind study. International Emesis Study Group

Abstract

The efficacy of ondansetron was compared with metoclopramide in the prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting induced by cyclophosphamide greater than or equal to 500 mg/m2 in combination with doxorubicin greater than or equal to 40 mg/m2 or epirubicin greater than or equal to 40 mg/m2. complete anti-emetic protection in the 24 h following chemotherapy was achieved in 26 of 40 (65%) patients treated with ondansetron compared with 17 of 42 (41%) patients treated with metoclopramide. Severe nausea was present in 3% of patients in the ondansetron group and 31% in the metoclopramide group. A worst day analysis of control of emesis and nausea on days 2 and 3 following chemotherapy also demonstrated ondansetron to be more effective than metoclopramide. Both treatments were well tolerated. Ondansetron is more effective as an anti-emetic than metoclopramide in this type of cytostatic therapy.