Yang, L.Q., Sun, X.C., Qin, S.K., Chen, Y.X., Zhang, H.L., Cheng, Y., . . . Yu, S.Y. (2016). Transdermal granisetron for the prevention of nausea and vomiting following moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy in Chinese patients: A randomized, double-blind, phase III study. Chinese Clinical Oncology, 5, 79.
To compare the efficacy and tolerability of transdermal granisetron to oral granisetron
Patients were randomized to receive either a granisetron patch and placebo capsules or a placebo patch and granisetron capsules. Samples were stratified according to emetogenicity of chemotherapy, gender, and chemotherapy duration. Patches were applied for 24-48 hours before chemotherapy and left in place for seven days. Patients received 1 mg oral medication one to two hours before chemotherapy and then 1 mg every 12 hours throughout chemotherapy.
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial
More patients in the oral granisetron group achieved CC (58.97% versus 46.75%, p = 0.04). The biggest difference occurred on the first day of chemotherapy. From days 2–5, no significant difference existed between groups. There were no differences based on gender, age, or emetogenicity of the chemotherapy regimen. More patients taking oral granisetron reported constipation.
In this study, oral granisetron was more effective than transdermal granisetron for control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) during the acute phase.
In this study, oral granisetron was more effective for CINV prevention than transdermal granisetron during the acute phase. In the delayed phase, results were similar for both interventions. It is unclear if the timing of application of the transdermal medication may affect this finding.