Ondansetron, an antagonist of 5-HT3 receptors, in the treatment of antineoplastic drug-induced nausea and vomiting in children
Matera, M.G.; Di Tullio, M.; Lucarelli, C.; Casale, F.; Calabria, C.; Lampa, E.; Indolfi, P.; Rossi, F.
Journal of Medicine 24(2-3): 161-170
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7850 PMID: 7691978 Document Number: 411996
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ondansetron, an antagonist of 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (serotonin 3) (5-HT-3) receptors, in controlling nausea and vomiting induced by antineoplastic therapy in children affected by cancer. Six patients affected by nausea and vomiting due to antieoplastic drugs were treated with ondansetron (4 mg/m-2). Urinary samples for the assay of serotonin and 5-hydroxy-indole-acetic acid (5-HIAA) were collected 24 hr before antineoplastic drug treatment, 24 hours after the start of antineoplastic therapy and, 24 hr after the start of ondansetron therapy. All patients were affected by nausea and vomiting within two to four hr after the antineoplastic treatment. Urinary concentrations of serotonin and 5-HIAA were higher and statistically significant (P lt 0.01) with respect to basal values. Treatment with ondansetron significantly reduced the number of episodes of nausea and vomiting, as well as the urinary values for serotonin and 5-HIAA.