ONDANSETRON IN NAUSEA AND VOMITING INDUCED BY SPINAL MORPHINE

Nausea and vomiting induced by opioids are relatively frequent in adva nced cancer patients, although other factors may play a role These eff ects, which tend to disappear after repeated dosing, can usually be co ntrolled with antiemetic drugs, including metoclopramide, haloperidol, and phenothiazines. Ocassionally, nausea and vomiting persist, in spi te of the prolonged administration of the antiemetic treatment. We rep ort a patient who had nausea and vomiting that was resistant to common antiemetic treatments, change in opioid drugs, and change in route of administration, and who had a complete and immediate response to pare nteral or oral ondansetron. (C) U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee, 199 8.