A Randomized Controlled Trial Plus a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Published Studies Evaluating a Conventional Prophylactic Regimen of Oral Dexamethasone vs Short-Course Intravenous Dexamethasone in Preventing Paclitaxel-Associated Hypersensitivity Reactions in Patients With Gynecologic Malignancies.

Background: Hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) are often encountered in patients receiving paclitaxel infusions. The conventional method, comprising dexamethasone 20 mg (Dex20) taken 12 and 6 hours before paclitaxel plus histamine (H)1 and H2-antagonists administered 30 minutes before paclitaxel, is an effective but cumbersome method in reducing HSRs in gynecologic oncology patients.

Objective: Determine the effectiveness of a simplified premedication method (short-course) comprising Dex20 and H1 and H2 antagonists administered 30 minutes before paclitaxel vs the conventional method in preventing HSRs.