Abstract

Granisetron, a 5-hydroxytryptamine3(5-HT3) receptor antagonist, is effective antiemetic agent in the control of cisplatin-induced emesis. We compared the efficacy and safety of granisetron with those of intravenous high-dose metoclopramide(1.5 mg/kg, four times) plus dexamethasone(10 mg i.v.) and lorazepam(2 mg i.v.)(MDL therapy) to control the acute emesis induced by high-dose cisplatin(>60mg/§³) treatment. Granisetron was injected in dose of 3 mg intravenously as recommended schedule for the prophylaxis of acute cisplatin-induced emesis. Granisetron was effective as MDL therapy for controlling of acute emesis. Of 25 granisetron-treated patients, 18(72%) were complete or major responders compared with 19/25(76%) patients who recieved the MDL therapy on first day of chemotherapy(P> 0.05). Also, in controlling of nausea, granisetron results were similar to MDL therapy. Side effects attributable to MDL group were sedation(60%)(P<0.01) and dizziness(20%)(P<0.05). In contrast to, headache(20%) of the granisetron group was higher than that of MDL group(P<0.05). Granisetron was effective as MDL therapy for controlling of the acute em esis and nausea induced by cisplatin. But, granisetron was more feasible and safer than MDL therapy.

• Keywords: Granisetron, Cisplatin, Emesis