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Biomedical subjects

M Gagen

Publications and source records attributed to M Gagen.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

A randomized trial of metoclopramide and a combination of dexamethasone and lorazepam for prevention of chemotherapy-induced vomiting.

In a randomized, crossover design the antiemetic activity of one of the most active single agents, metoclopramide was compared with a combination of dexamethasone and lorazepam. Both regimens were effective, but dexamethasone-lorazepam was significantly better than metoclopramide in preventing (26% versus 13%) or limiting (44% versus 23%) vomiting. Although side effects were more frequent with lorazepam-dexamethasone, the patients generally judged them desirable and overall patient preference was strong (70% versus 12%) for the lorazepam-dexamethasone combination. Patients required supervision and assistance due to lorazepam-induced drowsiness.

Adolescent

Specific antiemetics for specific cancer chemotherapeutic agents: haloperidol versus benzquinamide.

Sixty-four patients receiving cancer chemotherapy known to induce severe emesis entered a randomized double-blind study of the antiemetic efficacy of haloperidol (Haldol) and benzquinamide (Emetecon). Patients preferred haloperidol for control of emesis induced by cis-platinum (78 vs. 22%) or nitrogen mustard (67 vs. 16%). Patients receiving Doxorubicin preferred benzquinamide by a small margin (46 to 38%). Individual patients who experienced no relief with their first antiemetic (13 of 15) usually got some relief with the other after crossover. Haloperidol was more effective than benzquinamide (54 vs. 29%) in patients previously unrelieved by prochlorperazine (Compazine). Complete relief of vomiting was obtained in 14 of 45 patients receiving haloperidol but only five of 41 patients receiving benzquinamide experienced no vomiting, again dependent on the anticancer agent used. Although haloperidol is a more effective antiemetic agent overall, efficacy is related to the anticancer treatment and probably to individual patient characteristics.

Adult