[Metoclopramide plasma levels following oral administration of high doses for prophylaxis of emesis in cytostatic therapy].

To investigate the effectiveness of high oral doses of the antiemetic agent 4-amino-5-chloro-N-(2-diethyl-aminoethyl)-2-methoxybenzamide (metoclopramide, MCP, Gastrosil) against nausea and vomiting induced by certain cyostatic drugs, blood was withdrawn repeatedly from 9 patients; MCP plasma levels were then determined. Patients received 3 X 50 mg MCP-hydrochloride tablets in intervals of 4 h. Plasma levels determined from 7 patients were as follows: 173 ng/ml 1 h following the first dose of MCP 235 ng/ml 1 h following the second dose and finally 265 ng/ml following the third dose. Using the oral MCP dosage regimen presented in this study, high and relatively constant MCP plasma concentrations without undesired peak levels could be achieved.