Wu, C.E., & Liaw, C.C. (2012). Using aprepitant as secondary antiemetic prophylaxis for cancer patients with cisplatin-induced emesis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 20, 2357–2361.
To evaluate the efficacy aprepitant as an additional antiemetic among individuals who failed to obtain nausea and vomiting relief from 5-HT3 antagonists and dexamethasone while receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy
Physician and nurse investigators recorded patients' nausea and vomiting episodes daily while they were hospitalized. If discharged, patients their symptoms daily for up to 6 days.
The study was conducted at a single inpatient site in Taiwan.
All patients were in active antitumor treatment.
This was a prospective, descriptive study.
Aprepitant is an effective additional agent for CINV with minimal side effects; however, the medication should not routinely be used because only a small percentage of patients need an additional antiemetic.
Nurses need to assess for CINV throughout chemotherapy and advocate for additional antiemetic therapy when needed. Aprepitant is an effective additional antiemetic medication for relief of CINV among patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy.