High-dose metoclopramide and dexamethasone as an antiemetic in chemotherapy of breast cancer.

Twenty-six patients with breast carcinoma who experienced severe emesis due to chemotherapy were evaluated for the antiemetic efficacy of high-dose metoclopramide (HD-MCP) and dexamethasone (DXM). Most of the patients received the CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil) combination chemotherapy. The MCP and DXM dosage were: 2 X 2 mg/kg and 2 X 0.2 mg/kg, respectively. In 41% of eighty evaluable courses, nausea and vomiting were eliminated altogether. The common side effects were: drowsiness, restlessness and diarrhea. HD-MCP and DXM are recommended in modified dose for preventing CMF chemotherapy induced emesis.