High-Dose Metoclopramide and Chlorpromazine in the Treatment of Cisplatin-induced Emesis

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Abstract
Twenty patients with lung cancer, treated with cisplatin and etoposide, were divided into two groups at random and given antiemetic therapy consisting of either high-dose metoclopramide (MCL) intravenously (8 mg/kg over 7 hours) and chlorpromazine (CPZ) (50 mg orally), or a reduced dose of MCL (6 mg/kg over 7 hours) and CPZ (50 mg orally). Serum MCL concentrations were monitored during the infusions. In the two groups 33% and 38% vomited during and after the courses, and antiemetic control was achieved in 83% and 75% of the patients. There was no significant difference between the groups, and side effects were negligible. MCL concentrations exceeded 0.7 .mu.g/ml in all patients, with great inter-individual variation.