LORAZEPAM-ENHANCEMENT OF THE ANTIEMETIC EFFICACY OF DEXAMETHASONE ANDPROMETHAZINE - A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

This investigation was designed with the objective of improving on cur rently available antiemetic regimens to counteract the disabling side effects of cancer chemotherapy. The combination of lorazepam, dexameth asone, and promethazine was compared with dexamethasone and promethazi ne without lorazepam in a double-blind crossover study. The initial st udy population consisted of 92 women (most with breast cancer) and 7 m en; all received moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Complet e data for both periods of therapy were available for 73 of these pati ents. Crossover analysis showed a highly significant effect of lorazep am in reducing the severity of nausea (p = .003); the severity of vomi ting was also reduced, but less dramatically (p = .051). The frequency of all degrees of nausea and vomiting was less with lorazepam, but th e difference was not statistically significant. It is concluded that l orazepam added to dexamethasone and promethazine provides an effective regimen for counteracting the emetic side effects of cancer chemother apy.