The efficacy of granisetron for cancer patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy: comparison of 1 miligram versus 3 miligram doses in preventing nausea and vomiting

• Published in: Acta medica Indonesiana Vol. 37; no. 4; p. 210
• Main Authors: Kurnianda, Johan, Hisyam, Barmawi, Wahyuningsih, Endang, Hutajulu, Susanna H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Indonesia 01.10.2005
• Subjects: Adult; Antiemetics - administration & dosage; Antiemetics - adverse effects; Antiemetics - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Cisplatin - adverse effects; Cisplatin - therapeutic use; Dexamethasone - administration & dosage; Dexamethasone - adverse effects; Female; Granisetron - administration & dosage; Granisetron - pharmacology; Granisetron - therapeutic use; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nausea - chemically induced; Nausea - prevention & control; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Premedication; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome; Vomiting - chemically induced; Vomiting - prevention & control
• ISSN: 0125-9326

To compare the efficacy of anti-emetic and prophylactic effects of 1 milligram (mg) versus 3 mg granisetron in cancer patients. In this double blind, randomized, parallel study, 2-dose regimens of intra venous (IV) granisetron were evaluated in 39 cancer patients who were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized to receive granisetron 1 mg IV plus dexamethasone 20 mg (group A) or granisetron 3 mg iv plus dexamethasone 20 mg (group B). A questionnaire was used to evaluate the anti-emetic effects of granisetron. Subjects consisted of 31 men and 8 women. In group A (19 patients) 57.9% showed complete response from vomiting, 10.5% of major response, and 31.6% of failure to anti-emetic therapy. There were 47.4% of patients free from nausea and 52.6% complained of nausea (mild, moderate, and severe nausea). Among group B (20 patients), 90% showed complete response from vomiting, 5% of major response, and 5% of failure to anti-emetic therapy. Eighty percent of patients were free from nausea, while 15% complained of mild nausea and 5% of moderate nausea. The differences were statistically significant for vomiting (p = 0.02) as well as for nausea (p = 0.03). Intravenous granisetron 3 mg has better efficacy than granisetron 1 mg in preventing cisplatin- induced acute emesis.