Serotonin receptor antagonists in prophylaxis of acute and delayed emesis induced by moderately emetogenic, single-day chemotherapy - A randomized study

In this randomized study, the efficacy of a single dose of three serotonin antagonists were compared in prophylaxis of acute and delayed vomiting indu ced by moderately emetogenic, single-day chemotherapy in chemotherapy-naive patients. A total of 54 patients were entered. Eighteen patients received ondansetron, 17 received tropisetron, and 19 received granisetron. Antiemet ics were administered as 15-minute intravenous infusion before chemotherapy . Complete control of acute vomiting was achieved in 38.8% with ondansetron , 58.84% with tropisetron, and 73.7% with granisetron. Major response rates were 83.3%, 82.3%, and 89.5%, respectively. For the delayed control of eme sis, complete control of delayed vomiting was achieved in 38.8% with ondans etron. 52.9% with tropisetron, and 73.7% with granisetron. The major respon se rates were 71.8%, 70.5%, and 100%, respectively. The adverse effects wer e rare and mild in all groups. The authors conclude that there may be clini cally important differences among serotonin antagonists used for chemothera py-induced emesis.