Zick, S.M., Ruffin, M.T., Lee, J., Normolle, D.P., Siden, R., Alrawi, S., & Brenner, D.E. (2009). Phase II trial of encapsulated ginger as a treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Supportive Care in Cancer, 17, 563–572.
To evaluate the efficacy of ginger in relief of delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)
Patients with cancer who had experienced CINV during at least one previous round of chemotherapy were asked to participate. All participants were receiving a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist or aprepitant as part of their standard antiemetic regimen. Patients were randomized to receive either 1.0 g of ginger, 2.0 g of ginger, or matching placebo daily for three days.
The study was conducted at multiple outpatient settings in Ann Arbor, MI.
All patients were in active treatment.
This was a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
The Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis (MANE) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Toxicity Criteria version 3.0 for Adverse Events were used.
Ginger extract provides no clinical benefit at the doses evaluated when given in addition to standard, evidence-based medical therapy to prevent CINV. Ginger extract may have a negative effect on severity of nausea when taken with aprepitant.