Improved control of cisplatin-induced emesis with a combination of high doses of methylprednisolone and metoclopramide: a single-blind randomized trial.

Forty-seven patients undergoing their first course of chemotherapy containing cisplatin in combination with other drugs were randomized to compare the antiemetic efficacy of high dose metoclopramide vs. high dose methylprednisolone added to metoclopramide. The number of patients who experienced no emetic episodes was significantly higher with the combination regimen (P less than 0.01). In addition, both the mean number of emetic episodes (P = 0.01) and the duration of nauseas (P = 0.025) were decreased with the combination regimen. Both antiemetic regimens were well tolerated. Sex affected the response, with women having more nausea and vomiting than did men (P less than 0.05).