Jacob Bell
New Member
Antiemetics in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer: a randomized comparison of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and prochlorperazine
Author(s) Sallan SE, Cronin C, Zelen M, Zinberg NE
Journal, Volume, Issue New England Journal of Medicine 1980; 302(3):135-138
Major outcome(s) no nausea and vomiting in 36 of 79 courses of chemotherapy with THC compared to 16 of 78 courses in patients who received prochlorperazine; improved appetite with THC
Indication Cancer chemotherapy; Nausea/vomiting
Medication Delta-9-THC
Route(s) Oral
Dose(s) 3 x 10 mg/m2 (maximum 15 mg)
Duration (days) several days
Participants 20 cancer patients
Design Controlled study
Type of publication
Address of author(s) Sidney Farber Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Abstract
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is an effective antiemetic as compared with placebos in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer. In this study we compared THC with prochlorperazine (compazine) in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial with patients who had failed to benefit from standard antiemetic therapy. Regardless of the emetic activity of the chemotherapeutic agents, there were more complete responses to THC courses (in 36 of 79 courses) than to prochlorperazine (in 16 of 78 courses). Of 25 patients who were treated with both drugs and who expressed a preference, 20 preferred THC (P = 0.005). Among patients under 20 years of age there was a higher proportion of complete responses to THC courses (15 of 20) than among older patients (21 of 59 courses; P = 0.004). Increased food intake occurred more frequently with THC (P = 0.008) and was associated with the presence of a "high." Of 36 THC courses resulting in complete antiemetic responses, 32 were associated with a high. We conclude that THC is an effective antiemetic in many patients who receive chemotherapy for cancer and for whom other antiemetics are ineffective.
Source: Antiemetics in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer: a randomized comparison of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and prochlorperazine
Author(s) Sallan SE, Cronin C, Zelen M, Zinberg NE
Journal, Volume, Issue New England Journal of Medicine 1980; 302(3):135-138
Major outcome(s) no nausea and vomiting in 36 of 79 courses of chemotherapy with THC compared to 16 of 78 courses in patients who received prochlorperazine; improved appetite with THC
Indication Cancer chemotherapy; Nausea/vomiting
Medication Delta-9-THC
Route(s) Oral
Dose(s) 3 x 10 mg/m2 (maximum 15 mg)
Duration (days) several days
Participants 20 cancer patients
Design Controlled study
Type of publication
Address of author(s) Sidney Farber Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Abstract
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is an effective antiemetic as compared with placebos in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer. In this study we compared THC with prochlorperazine (compazine) in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial with patients who had failed to benefit from standard antiemetic therapy. Regardless of the emetic activity of the chemotherapeutic agents, there were more complete responses to THC courses (in 36 of 79 courses) than to prochlorperazine (in 16 of 78 courses). Of 25 patients who were treated with both drugs and who expressed a preference, 20 preferred THC (P = 0.005). Among patients under 20 years of age there was a higher proportion of complete responses to THC courses (15 of 20) than among older patients (21 of 59 courses; P = 0.004). Increased food intake occurred more frequently with THC (P = 0.008) and was associated with the presence of a "high." Of 36 THC courses resulting in complete antiemetic responses, 32 were associated with a high. We conclude that THC is an effective antiemetic in many patients who receive chemotherapy for cancer and for whom other antiemetics are ineffective.
Source: Antiemetics in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer: a randomized comparison of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and prochlorperazine
