Ondansentron and dexamethasone treatment with different dosing schedules (24 versus 32 mg) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer under cisplatin-based chemotherapy: A randomized study

The purpose of this study was to determine whether ondansentron given to pa tients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing cisplatin-based c hemotherapy, has better antiemetic activity administered every 6 or 8 h in controlling cisplatin-induced emesis. All patients had previously received 3 cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy at a dose of 100 mg/m(2). Ondansen tron was given according to two schedules in group A (50 patients) at a dos e of 8 mg in 100 mi normal saline over 10 min i.v. infusion, together with dexamethasone 8 mg before the infusion of cisplatin, continued with both dr ugs at the same dose and administration after 8 and 16 h; in group B (50 pa tients) both drugs were administered before the infusion of cisplatin, cont inued after 6, 12 and 18 h. During the next 3 days, patients continued with tablets of dexamethasone 4 mg and ondansentron 8 mg, group A every 8 h, an d group B every 6 h. The only difference in terms of antiemetic response th at was noticed between the two groups Was the number of patients experienci ng nausea which was found increased in group A (n = 32) in comparison to gr oup B (n = 25) (p < 0.022). No difference was noticed in the number of vomi ting episodes and retches or emesis control, during the 3-day evaluation pe riod after cisplatin infusion or in side effects. In conclusion, the total dose of 24 mg ondansentron during the acute phase of emesis is as effective as the total dose of 32 mg. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.