SUSTAINED-RELEASE METOCLOPRAMIDE PLUS METHYLPREDNISOLONE VERSUS PLACEBO PLUS METHYLPREDNISOLONE AS ANTIEMETIC PROPHYLAXIS DURING NON-CISPLATIN CHEMOTHERAPY - A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND CROSS-OVER TRIAL

In a randomized double-blind cross-over trial, sustained-release metoc lopramide (S) plus methylprednisolone (M) was compared with placebo (P ) plus methylprednisolone as antiemetic prophylaxis during two cycles of non-cisplatin chemotherapy, S was administered as 60 mg every 12 h commmencing on the evening before chemotherapy up to total of 300 mg m etoclopramide in 2.5 days. Evaluation of nausea and vomiting was done by self-assessment schemes and visual analog scales, Fifty patients we re included and 36 fulfilled both cycles. Mild nausea and vomiting wer e experienced by 81% and 83% in the S + M and P + M groups, respective ly, while 42% and 39% showed complete control of nausea and vomiting d uring the first day of treatment, Moderate-dose S did not add to the a ntiemetic efficacy of M in non-cisplatin chemotherapeutic regimens.