EFFICACY OF TROPISETRON (NAVOBAN(R)) IN CONTROLLING EMESIS INDUCED INCHILDREN BY ANTICANCER THERAPY

Aims and background: High doses of metoclopramide are contraindicated to prevent chemotherapy-induced emesis in pediatric patients, since th e incidence of extra pyramidal reactions is increased in these patient s. The aim of this small study was to evaluate the antiemetic activity and the safety of tropisetron (a new selective antagonist of 5-HT3 re ceptors) in children who suffered nausea and vomiting during previous chemotherapy courses, despite the administration of an anxiolytic agen t (hydroxyzine hydrochloride). Methods: The children With a malignant neoplasm were treated for emesis with tropisetron (5 mg o.a.d. or b.i. d.) during a total of 20 cycles of chemotherapy with carboplatin combi ned with other antitumor agents. Results: In 14 cycles (70%), there wa s no vomiting. There were two or; less episodes of vomiting in 2 cycle s (10%), 3-4 episodes in 2 cycles (10%), and no inhibition of vomiting at all in 2 cycles (10%). In 8 cycles there were no episodes of nause a (40%), in 5 cycles (25%) there were episodes of moderate nausea, and in 4 (20%) there were episodes of severe nausea. One child had a mild headache during one cycle and moderate hypotension during another. Co nclusions: The results suggest that tropisetron is both efficacious an d safe for the treatment of pediatric patients.