Profiles of emetic action of cisplatin in the ferret: a potential model of acute and delayed emesis.

The emetic profile of action of cisplatin 5 and 10 mg/kg i.p. was investigated in the ferret over a 72 and 40 h period respectively. Cisplatin 10 mg/kg induced retching and vomiting which rapidly declined after the first 8 h. Cisplatin 5 mg/kg induced a less intense emetic response which declined after 16 h but reappeared at approximately 32 h to reveal a 'delayed' retching and vomiting response. The use of cisplatin 5 mg/kg may offer a regimen to model cytotoxic acute and delayed emesis.