Efficacy of a Single 8-mg I.V. Dose of Ondansetron Hydrochloride
Efficacy of a Single 8-mg I.V. Dose of Ondansetron Hydrochloride
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting have been two of the major complaints of oncology patients for many years. Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, electrolyte abnormalities, and even discontinuation of future chemotherapy treatments. The introduction of serotonin type 3- receptor (5-HT3) antagonists has significantly improved the control of acute nausea and vomiting.
Currently, there are three 5-HT3 antagonists available in the United States: ondansetron (Zofran, Glaxo- SmithKline), granisetron (Kytril, Roche Pharmaceuticals), and dolasetron (Anzemet, Hoechst Marion Roussel). However, with increased antiemetic control has come an increase in patient and hospital costs. Various strategies have been implemented to decrease costs associated with the use of 5-HT3 antagonists, including the use of oral dosage formulations and development of treatment guidelines. More recently, data have suggested that doses of ondansetron lower than those approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are equally efficacious as traditional doses. Therefore, a new strategy for cost containment without compromising drug efficacy has emerged. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a single 8-mg i.v. dose of ondansetron hydrochloride for the control of acute nausea and vomiting caused by moderately and highly emetogenic chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting have been two of the major complaints of oncology patients for many years. Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, electrolyte abnormalities, and even discontinuation of future chemotherapy treatments. The introduction of serotonin type 3- receptor (5-HT3) antagonists has significantly improved the control of acute nausea and vomiting.
Currently, there are three 5-HT3 antagonists available in the United States: ondansetron (Zofran, Glaxo- SmithKline), granisetron (Kytril, Roche Pharmaceuticals), and dolasetron (Anzemet, Hoechst Marion Roussel). However, with increased antiemetic control has come an increase in patient and hospital costs. Various strategies have been implemented to decrease costs associated with the use of 5-HT3 antagonists, including the use of oral dosage formulations and development of treatment guidelines. More recently, data have suggested that doses of ondansetron lower than those approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are equally efficacious as traditional doses. Therefore, a new strategy for cost containment without compromising drug efficacy has emerged. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a single 8-mg i.v. dose of ondansetron hydrochloride for the control of acute nausea and vomiting caused by moderately and highly emetogenic chemotherapy.
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