SINGLE-DOSE DEXAMETHASONE PACLITAXEL PREMEDICATION

Paclitaxel is one of the most active chemotherapy agents for the treat ment of ovarian and other gynecologic cancers. Hypersensitivity reacti ons (HSR) remain one of the major clinical concerns in the use of pacl itaxel. This report deals with 183 consecutive patients treated with p aclitaxel chemotherapy. A total of 1010 cycles were administered. Prem edication consisted of single-dose intravenous decadron, benadryl, and cimetidine administered immediately prior to chemotherapy. Four hyper sensitivity reactions occurred. All patients recovered uneventfully fr om these reactions. Two of these patients received additional oral dec adron followed by the standard premedication and were successfully ret reated with multiple courses of paclitaxel therapy without reaction. O ur findings confirm other reports that paclitaxel chemotherapy hyperse nsitivity reactions can he decreased with a single-dose intravenous de cadron premedication regimen and that patients who do have paclitaxel HSRs may be safely retreated with paclitaxel. (C) 1998 Academic Press.