Tropisetron, a new 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, in the prevention of radiation-induced emesis

Abstract Tropisetron, a 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist, was evaluated as antiemetic prophylaxis during postoperative abdominal irradiation of ovarian carcinoma patients. Twenty consecutive women with stages I–III (FIGO) epithelial ovarian carcinomas were included. Nausea, generally mild and of short duration, increased from start (30%) to end of radiotherapy (54%). Episodes of vomiting were few in number and occurred in less than 10 % of the cases. Diarrhea was common toward the end of the radiotherapy courses. The overall ratings for quality of life were excellent or good in 75–85% of the cases. Tropisetron seems to be a promising and well-tolerated drug in conjunction with extended radiotherapy.