Is gabapentin effective for preventing delayed nausea and vomiting (NV) after moderately and highly emetogenic chemotherapy (CT)?

Abstract

18575 Background: Following previous institutional observations,this protocol was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Gabapentin in the prophylaxis of delayed CT induced NV. Methods: The main elegibility criteria was moderate and severe NV on previous CT cycles.Gabapentin 300 mg caps. was given as follows: One capsule day -2, two capsules day -1 and one capsule tid from days 1 to 5. 24 pats. were evaluated; 22 (92%) female, 2 (8%) male.CT included Doxorubicin/Ciclofosfamide 15 (62.5%), Cis-Platin 5 (21%), Other regimens 4 (17%). Previous prophylaxis for all pats. included a 5-HT3 Antagonist plus Dexametasone. Pats. were instructed to complete a two-page Questionaire: On page 1 pats. indicated the intensity of nausea according a scale shown there. On page two they indicated the number of vomits they had.This was made three times daily for five days. The primary endpoint was reduction of NV aftyer CT. Results: The reduction observed in the number of vomits was as follows: Number of pats. that experienced 0 Vomits: day 1 (CT): 14 (58.3%); day 2: 18 (75%); day 3: 20 (83.3%); day 4: 18 (75%); day 5: 22 (91.7%). On the other hand, pats. that did not respond and had three or more vomits daily: day 1: 5 (20.8%); day 2: 2 (8.3%); day 3: 1 (4.2%); day 4: 3 (12.5%); day 5: 2 (8.3%).Most pats. experienced a decrease in the intensity of nausea as well. No significant side effects were seen. Conclusions: Gabapentin seems to have some efficacy preventing delayed NV after moderately and highly emetogenic CT. These results together with it’s possible effect on acute NV and good tolerability warrant further studies. No significant financial relationships to disclose.