Dexamethasone Plus HT3 Receptor Antagonists or Metoclopramide Vs Dexamethasone Alone for Chemotherapy-Induced Vomiting

A systematic review 1 including 8 studies with a total of 2,957 subjects was abstracted in DARE. Dexamethasone plus 5-HT3RA versus dexamethasone alone (5 RCTs, 2,258 randomised; 1,997 included in ITT analysis). There was no significant difference between treatments for the prevention of delayed chemotherapy-induced vomiting (CINV); 53.2% with 5-HT3RA versus 53.3% with dexamethasone alone (RR 1.03, 95% CI: 0.97 to 1.09). Dexamethasone plus 5-HT3RA versus dexamethasone plus metoclopramide (3 RCTs, 699 randomised; 686 in ITT analysis). There was no significant difference between treatments for the prevention of delayed CINV; 52.2% with 5-HT3RA plus dexamethasone versus 54.2% with dexamethasone plus metoclopramide (RR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.85 to 1.09).

References

• Huang JQ, Zheng GF, Chan GC, Karlberg J, Lam SK, Wong BC. Efficacy of current antiemetic treatments for preventing delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs 2004;21(3-4):191-212. [DARE]