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Effects of ondansetron on gastrointestinal symptoms in carcinoid syndrome
A N Wymenga1, E G de Vries, M K Leijsma
1Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
European Journal of Cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
|December 16, 1998
Abstract:
The effect of short-term treatment with the highly selective serotonin receptor antagonist ondansetron on symptoms and gastric emptying in 11 carcinoid patients was studied. Diarrhoea improved in 6 of 6 patients, nausea in 3 of 4 patients. Flushing was not affected. The rate of gastric emptying increased during ondansetron treatment (P = 0.08). No changes in serotonin in platelets and urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were found. It is concluded that ondansetron can improve gastrointestinal symptoms in carcinoid patients and possibly slows gastric emptying.