Failure of methylprednisolone acetate to prolong the antinauseant effect of intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate in patients receiving chemotherapy.

The efficacy of intramuscular methylprednisolone acetate in maintaining the antinauseant effect of intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate was assessed in a prospectively-randomized, double-blind, crossover-design trial. Of 150 patients entered, 127 were evaluable. There was no statistically significant difference between methylprednisolone acetate and saline placebo, although patient preferences slightly favoured the methylprednisolone acetate for nausea, vomiting, and overall effectiveness.