Wang, X., Wang, L., Wang, H., & Zhang, H. (2015). Effectiveness of olanzapine combined with ondansetron in prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting of non-small cell lung cancer. Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics, 72, 471–473.
To compare the effects of ondansetron and olanzapine to ondansetron alone for management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)
All patients received 8 mg IV ondansetron 30 minutes before chemotherapy. Patients in the experimental group also received 10 mg olanzapine for eight days. CINV was evaluated after one chemotherapy cycle.
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Randomized, two-group trial
World Health Organization toxicity grading criteria
The incidence of vomiting in the acute phase was 33.33% in the olanzapine group and 54.76% in the control group (p < 0.05). The incidence of delayed CINV was 16.67% with olanzapine and 47.62% in the control group (p < 0.01).
The use of olanzapine as part of an antiemetic regimen was associated with a lower incidence of vomiting in the acute and delayed phases.
This study adds to the body of evidence demonstrating the potential role of olanzapine for control of CINV. Olanzapine may have particular benefit for control in the delayed phase. Nurses need to evaluate the patterns of CINV in patients receiving chemotherapy and can identify patients who may benefit from the use of olanzapine along with other antiemetic agents.