Double-blind controlled trial of the antiemetic efficacy and toxicity of methylprednisolone (MP), metoclopramide (MTC) and domperidone (DMP) in breast cancer patients treated with i.v. CMF

Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol. 1987 Jun;23(6):615-7. doi: 10.1016/0277-5379(87)90255-0.

Abstract

Sixty-two patients treated for the first time with i.v. CMF were included in a double-blind comparative study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of 3 different drugs (methylprednisolone (MP), metoclopramide (MTC), and domperidone (DMP) in preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Complete protection from vomiting/nausea was obtained in 85%/80% in the group treated with MP; in 60%/65% in the group treated with MTC and in 38%/42% in the group treated with DMP. Average number of vomiting episodes was 2.4 with MP, and 1.7 with MTC and 6.2 with DMP. Older patients seem to be a prognostically unfavorable subgroup. Side-effects were mild and infrequent. We conclude that MP and MTC are probably equally efficacious antiemetic treatments in patients undergoing i.v. CMF chemotherapy, but due to the risk of extrapyramidal reactions with MTC, MP probably should be the treatment of choice in these patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects
  • Domperidone / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use*
  • Metoclopramide / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nausea / prevention & control*
  • Vomiting / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Domperidone
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Metoclopramide
  • Fluorouracil
  • Methylprednisolone
  • Methotrexate

Supplementary concepts

  • CMF regimen