Antiemetic Studies both Pre and Post Exposure: Preliminary Findings.

Abstract : Initial findings of the latest testing of radiation antiemetic drug treatments are described. Four groups of random-source dogs, each with at least 13 dogs, were exposed to varying levels of radioactive cobalt using the up-down test paradigm. Cimetidine, thiethylperzaine, and promethazaine have been tested previously in this laboratory and have been shown to be effective, in combination, in curtailing radiation-induced emesis. Testing described herein used the same three drugs, but they were injected following radiation (group 1). Group two animals were injected with saline following radiation. Group three animals were administered the same three drugs plus the corticosteriod dexamethasone prior to being irradiated. Group four received saline prior to irradiation. Only the combination of four drugs given prior to irradiation was effective in altering the incidence of emsis. (Author)