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Granisetron in the control of nausea and vomiting associated with bone marrow transplantation: a review of its efficacy and tolerability

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Abstract

Cancer patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) experience severe nausea and vomiting associated with high-dose chemotherapy agents; these emetic symptoms are compounded by total body irradiation used in many conditioning regimens. This paper reviews clinical experience with the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist granisetron, both as a single agent and in combination with other anti-emetics, in patients undergoing BMT and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Clinical studies demonstrate the efficacy (47–61% with no vomiting and no worse than mild nausea) and tolerability of granisetron. Its long half-life and duration of action may be responsible for its effective 24 h control of nausea and vomiting in BMT patients.

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Acknowledgement

Thanks to TMG Healthcare Communications Ltd., for assistance in the preparation of this manuscript. This manuscript was supported by Hoffmann-La Roche.

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  1. Royal Free and University College Medical School, and Department of Haematology, The London Clinic, 20 Devonshire Place, London, W1G 6BW, UK

    H. G. Prentice

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  1. H. G. Prentice
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Correspondence to H. G. Prentice.

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Prentice, H.G. Granisetron in the control of nausea and vomiting associated with bone marrow transplantation: a review of its efficacy and tolerability. Support Care Cancer 11, 501–508 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-003-0480-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-003-0480-6

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