Effective control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting with oral prednisone and metoclopramide.

Abstract

Repeated oral doses of metoclopramide (50 mg) and prednisone (25 mg) completely prevented nausea and vomiting (N + V) in approximately 50% and substantially reduced N + V in an additional 27%-36% of 56 chemotherapy courses in 30 consecutive cancer patients who were receiving primarily cisplatin. Toxicity from this antiemetic regimen was minor. Simple oral N + V-prevention with metoclopramide and prednisone is as effective but less cumbersome and considerably less expensive than either high doses of intravenous corticosteroids and/or intravenous metoclopramide.