Ketanserin versus placebo in carcinoid syndrome. A clinical controlled trial

Seven patients, four women and three men, with a median age of 64 years (range, 53-74 years) were randomized to treatment with either ketanserin, 40-160 mg daily, or placebo. The study included 13 treatment periods with ketanserin and 13 with placebo. All patients had typical symptoms, with flushing as their main complaint. The diagnosis had been verified histologically. All had elevated excretion of 5-hydroxy-3-indoleacetic acid in urine. During the trial ketanserin reduced the number of flushing attacks in five patients (p less than 0.05). Diarrhoea was reduced in two patients. No side effects were observed. Ketanserin seems valuable for the symptomatic relief in the carcinoid syndrome.