EFFECTS OF ONDANSETRON ON GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS IN CARCINOID-SYNDROME

The effect of short-term treatment with the highly selective serotonin receptor antagonist ondansetron on symptoms and gastric emptying in 1 1 carcinoid patients was studied. Diarrhoea improved in 6 of 6 patient s, nausea in 3 of 4 patients. Flushing was not affected. The rate of g astric emptying increased during ondansetron treatment (P = 0.08). No changes in serotonin in platelets and urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyin doleacetic acid were found. It is concluded that ondansetron can impro ve gastrointestinal symptoms in carcinoid patients and possibly slows gastric emptying. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.