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.