Improved control of emesis and quality of life with ondansetron in breast cancer.

Cyclophosphamide-based chemotherapy is often given to patients for the treatment of breast cancer. This chemotherapy can induce severe nausea and vomiting in these patients, which can adversely affect their quality of life, especially as these regimens are often given on an outpatient basis over several courses. This paper reviews 5 randomised, double-blind, multicenter comparative studies which have been carried out in breast cancer patients to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of the potent and highly selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, ondansetron.

Safety of ondansetron.

Ondansetron is a novel 5-HT3 receptor antagonist used for the treatment of cytotoxic-induced emesis and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Safety data from volunteer studies, non-emesis development studies, studies in the treatment of cytotoxic-induced emesis and postoperative nausea and vomiting, and spontaneous case reports, all indicate that ondansetron is well tolerated and has an excellent safety profile. There are no known interactions of ondansetron with other drugs, and no interference with postoperative recovery.