Effects of granisetron in children undergoing high-dose chemotherapy: a multi-institutional, cross-over study

The efficacy of granisetron hydrochloride 20 mu g/kg and 40 mu g/kg were co mpared using a cross-over method to determine the optimal dose in children with solid tumors receiving high-dose chemotherapy. Granisetron controlled the onset of vomiting in 17 of 23 patients (73.9%) who were given 40 mu g/k g of granisetron, while 8 of 21 patients (38.1%) were free of vomiting in t he 20 mu g/kg group. The average frequency of vomiting was 7.22 times in th e 20 mu g/kg dose versus 4.44 times in the 40 mu g/kg dose. No safety probl ems were associated with either dose. The 40 mu g/kg dose of granisetron ap pears to be more optimal.