Use of propofol for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and emesis in oncology patients

• Published in: Canadian journal of anesthesia Vol. 39; no. 2; pp. 170 - 172
• Main Authors: SCHER, C. S, AMAR, D, MCDOWALL, R. H, BARST, S. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Toronto, ON Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society 01.02.1992
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anesthetics. Neuromuscular blocking agents; Antiemetics - administration & dosage; Antiemetics - therapeutic use; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Neoplasms - drug therapy; Cyclophosphamide - adverse effects; Female; Humans; Ifosfamide - adverse effects; Infusions, Intravenous; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Medical sciences; Methotrexate - adverse effects; Nausea - chemically induced; Nausea - prevention & control; Neuropharmacology; Osteosarcoma - drug therapy; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Propofol - administration & dosage; Propofol - therapeutic use; Vomiting - chemically induced; Vomiting - prevention & control; Antineoplastic agent; Human; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Intravenous administration; General anesthetic; Vomiting; Nausea
• ISSN: 0832-610X; 1496-8975
• DOI: 10.1007/bf03008650

Nausea and vomiting associated with antineoplastic chemotherapy are distressing and may keep patients from complying with chemotherapy protocols. No drug has emerged among many as an effective antiemetic. It has been speculated that propofol may have intrinsic antiemetic properties. We report the use of low-dose continuous infusion propofol in three oncology patients to treat chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting. A bolus of 0.1 mg.kg-1 followed by a continuous infusion of 1 mg.kg-1.hr-1 was effective in both prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting. All three patients were alert, reported low nausea scores by visual analogue scale, and had no episodes of vomiting. When the infusion was discontinued, nausea and vomiting were noted in two patients. Propofol, given in a subanaesthetic infusion, was safe and effective as an antiemetic in these three patients.