Methylprednisolone as an Antiemetic in Patients on Cis-Platinum Chemotherapy. Results of a Controlled Randomized Study

Abstract

In cytostatic drug treatment, nausea and vomiting are very frequent, unpleasent and undesirable side effects that cause considerable discomfort to the patient. However, many established antiemetics (Torecan, haloperidol, Valium, Largactil etc.) have not shown significant antiemetic activity in the patients to whom cytostatics were applied. In our controlled randomized clinical trial, the antiemetic activity of methylprednisolone was investigated and compared with placebo (10 ml saline) and Torecan. All the compounds were injected before cis-platinum administration, knowing that this agent induces vomiting in almost 100% of patients. Ninety patients entered the study and have been evaluated. The results of the trial have shown that methylprednisolone in the single dose of 250 mg applied i.v. 2 h before injection of a cytostatic agent experienced pronounced antiemetic activity in 48% of the patients (15/31), as compared to Torecan 21% (6/29) and placebo 13% (4/30). This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). No side effects were recorded after methylprednisolone application. The results of the study showed that methylprednisolone possesses a pronounced antiemetic activity in almost half of the patients treated with cis-platinum.