A randomized double-blind trial of ondansetron alone versus in combination with dexamethasone versus in combination with dexamethasone and lorazepam in the prevention of emesis due to cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness and side effects of antiemetic regimens using ondansetron alone (O) versus ondansetron plus dexamethasone (OD) versus ondansetron plus dexamethasone plus lorazepam (ODA) in the prevention of emesis induced by cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Design: Randomized, double-blind trial. Patients and Methods: In this study, 75 patients who were receiving cisplatin (60 mg/m 2 ) on day 1 and 5-fluorouracil (1,000 mg/m 2 ) on day 2 to day 6 were enrolled. Patients were randomized to one of three treatment regimens: O, OD, or ODA. The patients assigned to O regimen received ondansetron 8 mg intravenously as a loading dose 15 minutes prior to cisplatin, then 1 mg/h continuous IV infusion (24 mg/day) for 48 hours