ONDANSETRON AS AN EFFECTIVE ANTIEMETIC DRUG IN OUTPATIENT AND INPATIENT CYTOSTATIC DRUG-THERAPY

Ondansetron is the first selective serotonin receptor (5HT3)-antagonist used in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced emesis. We studied 55 patients who received a total of 103 courses of chemotherapy. Ondansetron (8 mg) was given twice on the day before chemotherapy, followed by 8 mg p. o. every 8 hours for 3 to 5 days. A complete or major response (less than 3 episodes of emesis in 24 hours) was achieved in 88% of 24 chemotherapy courses containing cisplatin. In 79 chemotherapy regimens without cisplatin, a complete or major response was achieved in 85%. 42 courses of chemotherapy given to outpatients yielded a success rate of 90%. Only mild adverse events were reported including headache in 3 patients (5%) and constipation in 7 patients (13%). No extrapyramidal side effects were seen. We conclude that Ondansetron is a safe, well tolerated and highly effective non-sedative antiemetic.