ONDANSETRON AS PROPHYLAXIS FOR CHEMOTHERAPY INDUCED EMEZIS IN CHILDREN

The efficacy of a 5HT3 receptor antagonist Ondansetron, in the control of emesis and nausea was assessed in 42 children with solid tumors, in a total of 120 courses of chemotherapy (CT) containing various combinations of drugs. A single I.V. dose (5 mg/m2 or 8 mg depending on surface area) immediately before CT was followed by I.V. or P.O. treatment three times a day for a total of 3 days (non-cisplatin (CDDP) CT) or 5 days (CDDP CT). Efficacy was evaluated by a questionnaire documenting the incidence of vomiting and severity of nausea. In a 24 hour period after starting CT, a good control in emesis (<3 emetic episodes) was obtained in 56 %, and a good control in nausea was obtained in 67 % of the 46 CDDP containing courses. These values were 91 % and 97 % for the 74 non-CDDP courses respectively. In the "worst day" of treatment, less than 3 emetic episodes were reported in 56% and a good control of nausea in 89 % of CDDP containing courses. These values were 89 % and 99 % for non-CDDP courses respectively. Mild side effects were reported in 4/42 (9,5 %) of the patients. This study shows that ondansetron is a safe, well tolerated and effective anti-emetic in the treatment of children receiving a variety of CT regimens.