Efficacy of an antiemetic therapeutic interchange protocol driven by a medically integrated pharmacy.

Abstract

133 Background: Control of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remains an unmet need. An antiemetic therapeutic interchange protocol was developed to enhance control of CINV. This abstract reports the efficacy results of patients treated with highly emetogenic regimens as defined by NCCN guidelines. Methods: Medically integrated pharmacists imbedded within 2 centers of a community oncology practice evaluated each new chemotherapy order and adjusted antiemetics including a 5HT3 antagonist, steroids, olanzapine and an NK1 inhibitor using an NCCN based protocol. Exact medications depended on insurance coverage and copays. Medications were adjusted for patient comorbidities, drug interactions and patient refusal. All patients were given prochlorperazine and ondansetron for breakthrough nausea and vomiting. Medication education to increase adherence was provided by the pharmacist, nurse and advance practice provider. Patients were evaluated by nursing or pharmacist calls on day 2 and 3 and as needed to characterize CINV using the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) antiemesis tool that scores CINV on a Likert scale. Based on review of the literature, a score of 3 or higher reflected symptom management failure. Additionally, due to drowsiness as the most commonly reported side effect of olanzapine, each center sought to characterize the risk of drowsiness. Results: 367 consecutive patients treated with highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens were identified at two centers by pharmacists and followed by nursing or pharmacy calls over a 9-month timeframe: November 2016 to August 2017. 89% of patients had complete control of nausea with only 11% reporting nausea greater than a 3. Additionally, 11% of patients reported drowsiness greater than a 3. Conclusions: Administering a pharmacist driven antiemetic protocol is an effective way to control CINV. While CINV did occur, evaluation shows CINV was mild. We have shown that utilizing an antiemetic therapeutic interchange protocol with a collaborative care team including medically integrated pharmacists facilitates excellent control of CINV.