A Pilot Study Of Hydration And Antiemetics In Controlling Cisplatin Induced Delayed Nausea And Vomiting

Background & objectives:Delayed emesis during chemotherapy is a significant problem, especially with drug like cisplatin, which is often poorly controlled with conventional anti-emetics. There is a relative paucity of data on the control of delayed emesis and rather inconsistent results have been reported. The lack of good water intake has shown to increase the incidence of nausea and vomiting, among the post operative patients. Taking a leaf out of the anesthetist book, we present this study aimed at checking the efficacy of fluid therapy in reducing the incidence and severity of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. This study also compares the efficacy and tolerability of tropisetrone versus metoclopramide in a permissive environment of good hydration. Method:The in-patients since February 2005, who received cisplatin 75 mg/m~2 to 100 mg/m~2 intravenously (iv) over two consecutive daily single dose, in Grade 4 to 5 emetogenic potential regimens, were observed for two consecutive cycles. A total number of 27 out of 34 patients receiving cisplatin based chemotherapy were observed over a period of 5 days from the day 1 of the chemotherapy.