Ramosetron for the management of chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal events in patients with hematological malignancies

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ramo setron hydrochloride for the management of nausea and vomiting induced by c hemotherapy in patients with hematological malignancies. A total of 30 pati ents with hematological malignancies were included in the ramosetron group. ramosetron (0.3 mg i.v.) was administered 0.5 h before chemotherapy. The i mpact of ramosetron on anorexia, nausea and vomiting as well as other adver se effects were assessed. Meanwhile, another 39 patients received tropisetr on (o.d. for 3 days). As compared to the tropisetron group, the response ra te of the ramosetron group in controlling anorexia with 18-24 h after chemo therapy was higher (p<0.05); within 18-24 h after chemotherapy, the complet e response rate and effective rate in controlling nausea was higher (p<0.05 ); within 12-18 h and 18-24 h after chemotherapy, the complete response rat e and effective rate in controlling vomiting was higher (p<0.05). The incid ence of adverse effects was similar in both groups. We conclude that ramose tron belongs to a new generation of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and that it is a safe, economic and effective antiemetic drug. (C) 2001 Prouse Science. All rights reserved.