Tuca, A. (2010). Use of granisetron transdermal system in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a review. Cancer Management and Research, 2, 1–12.
To evaluate the antiemetic efficacy of transdermal granisetron in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients receiving moderately and highly emetogenic chemotherapy
This was a multisite study conducted in the inpatient setting. The phase II trial was conducted in Germany. The phase III trial was conducted in nine countries.
All patients were in active treatment. Clinical applications of these studies are late effects and survivorship.
In the first trial, patients used a Likert-type scale and visual analog scale (VAS) to measure CINV.
Transdermal granisetron is effective and safe in controlling acute emesis induced by chemotherapy with moderate and high emetogenic potential; its efficacy and safety are fully comparable with those of oral granisetron.
Age, gender, cancer type, and stage were not mentioned.
The transdermal route may bring more comfort to patients. The patch is simple to apply and is maintained throughout chemotherapy without skin problems in most patients. The use of transdermal patch can avoid one of the many venous manipulations necessary in chemotherapy. Also, patches could be helpful in patients with swallowing problems. Nurses need to consider obstacles, including cost and insurance coverage, when selecting antiemetics.