Dexamethasone vs. placebo for cisplatin-induced emesis. A randomized cross-over trial

A randomized cross-over trial of dexamethasone (10 mg I.V. before therapy, and 4 mg I.V. q 4 h X 6 doses) vs. placebo as antiemetic therapy was conducted in 19 patients receiving high-dose cisplatin. Sixteen patients and 32 treatment courses were fully evaluable. There was no significant difference between regimens in the number of emesis-free patients or the number of emetic episodes, though the duration of nausea symptoms may have been reduced. We conclude that dexamethasone as used in our trial is not an effective antiemetic in patients receiving cisplatin.