ONDANSETRON, AN ANTAGONIST OF 5-HT(3) RECEPTORS, IN THE TREATMENT OF ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUG-INDUCED NAUSEA AND VOMITING IN CHILDREN

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ondan setron, an antagonist of 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (serotonin 3) (5-H T3) receptors, in controlling nausea and vomiting induced by antineopl astic therapy in children affected by cancer. Six patients affected by nausea and vomiting due to antineoplastic drugs were treated with ond ansetron (4 Mg/M2). Urinary samples for the assay of serotonin and 5-h ydroxy-indole-acetic acid (5-HIAA) were collected 24 hr before antineo plastic drug treatment, 24 hours after the start of antineoplastic the rapy and, 24 hr after the start of ondansetron therapy. All patients w ere affected by nausea and vomiting within two to four hr after the an tineoplastic treatment. Urinary concentrations of serotonin and 5-HIAA were higher and statistically significant (P<0.01) with respect to ba sal values. Treatment with ondansetron significantly reduced the numbe r of episodes of nausea and vomiting, as well as the urinary values fo r serotonin and 5-HIAA.