1239 Acceptance of tropisetron and metoclopramide in ambulant patients receiving 5-FU chemotherapy

• Published in: European journal of cancer (1990) Vol. 31; p. S259
• Main Authors: Koenig, H.J., Faerber, L., Drechsler, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.1995
• ISSN: 0959-8049; 1879-0852
• DOI: 10.1016/0959-8049(95)96485-V

In highly emetogenic chemotherapy (CHE) tropisetron (TRO) is more effective and better tolerated than conventional antiemetics. Due to good tolerability and long duration of action TRO could be advantageous also in ambulant settings with less emetogenic treatments. This study examines the acceptance of TRO vs. metoclopramide (MCP) in outpatients receiving 5-FU-treatment. 40 patients were randomised in a cross–over trial to receive TRO 5 mg or MCP 50 mg once daily (day 1–3) each during one study course. Both treatments were rated equally regarding efficacy. Tolerability was judged significantly better for TRO ( P < 0.05 With MCP, patients suffered significantly more from tiredness and restlessness. With respect to overall acceptance of therapy by patients, TRO superseded MCP ( P < 0.01). The favourable side effect profile of TRO makes it clearly more useful than MCP for antiemetic prophylaxis in outpatients undergoing moderately emetogenic CHE.