Zang, J., Hou, M., Gou, H.F., Qiu, M., Wang, J., Zhou, X.J., … Yi, C. (2011). Antiemetic activity of megestrol acetate in patients receiving chemotherapy. Supportive Care in Cancer, 19, 667–673.
To evaluate the antiemetic properties of megestrol acetate (MA) in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) or highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC)
Patients were randomly assigned to receive either MA or placebo combined with routine antiemetic medications during the first cycle of chemotherapy and used the alternative during the second cycle. Patients were given oral MA or a placebo tablet prior to the start of chemotherapy then daily on days 1–4 of the chemotherapy. All patients were given granisetron and metoclopramide daily on days 1–4 of chemotherapy. Patients received either MEC or HEC for one day. Patients recorded nausea, vomiting, and adverse experiences daily on diary cards during days 1–5 of chemotherapy.
The study was conducted at a single cancer center in China.
All patients were in active treatment.
This was a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.
Patients recorded each emetic episode, their assessment of nausea and global satisfaction, and occurrence of any adverse effects on diary cards.
MA provides higher rates of CINV protection in the acute and delayed phase of chemotherapy, especially the delayed phase. MA is effective in patients receiving HEC and MEC.
MA may have some antiemetic activity in patients receiving moderate to highly emetic chemotherapy and should be considered as part of an antiemetic regimen.