LOW-DOSE INTRAVENOUS ONDANSETRON (8 MG) PLUS DEXAMETHASONE - AN EFFECTIVE REGIMEN FOR THE CONTROL OF CARBOPLATIN-INDUCED EMESIS

Twenty-nine patients with gynecologic malignancies were treated with a fixed low dose of intravenous ondansetron (8 mg) plus dexamethasone ( 20 mg) in an effort to develop an effective and less expensive antieme tic regimen for the control of carboplatin-induced emesis. Twenty-six (90%) of the women participating in this trial experienced complete co ntrol of both acute nausea and vomiting (developing within the first 2 4 h after chemotherapy administration), while 27 (93%) patients exhibi ted either complete or major control (less than or equal to 2 episodes of vomiting, less than or equal to 5 episodes of retching, minimal in terference with eating) of emesis, On the basis of our experience in t his trial, we conclude that the combination of low dose (8 mg) intrave nous ondansetron plus dexamethasone is a well-tolerated and highly cos t-effective antiemetic strategy for individuals receiving carboplatin- based chemotherapy.