The serotonin type 3 receptor antagonist BRL 43694 and nausea and vomiting induced by cisplatin

Abstract

BRL 43694 was given to 22 patients receiving chemotherapy with cisplatin. Fourteen patients received the highest dose (40 μg/kg); eight of them had no nausea or vomiting, and in three of the remaining six the onset of nausea and vomiting was delayed beyond 12 hours. The drug was well tolerated, although headache lasting 36 hours was observed in one patient. Selective serotonin type 3 receptor antagonists would seem to have an important role in the control of emesis induced by chemotherapy. BRL 43694 at a dose of 40 μg/kg given as a single infusion for 30 minutes was safe and noticeably ameliorated nausea and vomiting in patients receiving doses of cisplatin ranging from 40 to 100 mg/m2.