Comparison of Ondansetron with Customary Treatment in the Prophylaxis of Nausea and Emesis Induced by Non-Cisplatin Containing Chemotherapy

One hundred cancer patients receiving non-cisplatin containing chemotherapy were entered in a prospective study in which the efficacy of ondansetron was compared with standard antiemetic treatments in the prophylaxis of nausea and emesis. During the first 24 h, 77% of patients on ondansetron reported complete control of emesis compared with 56% of those on customary treatments (p = 0.03). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between ondansetron and customary treatments in control of delayed emesis on days 2-5. Nor was any statistically significant difference seen between ondansetron and customary treatments in preventing acute or delayed nausea.