Combination metoclopramide and dexamethasone: an effective antiemetic regimen in outpatients receiving non-cisplatin chemotherapy.

In a pilot study a combination of metoclopramide and dexamethasone was administered to 29 patients receiving emetogenic chemotherapy. Metoclopramide was given intravenously (IV) at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg one-half hour before the start of chemotherapy, and then given at the same dose orally two, five, and eight hours after chemotherapy. Dexamethasone was given at a dose of 10 mg IV immediately following the first dose of metoclopramide, then given at a dose of 8 mg orally six, 12, and 18 hours after chemotherapy. The chemotherapy regimens most commonly used were standard FAC, FAM, and BACOD regimens. Twenty-six of 29 patients received outpatient treatment. Complete protection against both nausea and vomiting was seen in 69% (20/29) patients; six others (21%) experienced mild nausea but no vomiting, resulting in 90% (26/29) of the patients having total emetic protection with combination metoclopramide and dexamethasone. Eighty-eight percent (15/17) of the patients with no prior chemotherapy had no nausea or vomiting, one (6%) had only mild nausea, and the remaining patient (6%) had one emesis. Forty-two percent (5/12) of the patients with prior chemotherapy had complete antinausea and emetic protection, five (42%) had nausea without vomiting, and the remaining two patients experienced one or two emesis. Side effects were minimal when present and included mild drowsiness (five patients), akathisia (three patients), diarrhea (one patient), and hot flashes (one patient). Combination metoclopramide and dexamethasone therapy can effectively prevent emesis in 94% of patients receiving potentially emetogenic chemotherapy and can prevent nausea and emesis in 88% of untreated patients. Studies defining the optimal dose and scheduling needed to maintain such antinausea and antiemetic protection are necessary.