Efficacy of continuous high-dose metoclopramide in patients receiving daily cisplatin infusions.

Continuous high-dose metoclopramide (MCP), 2 mg/kg/24 hours, was administered for a period of 84-90 hours to 30 consecutive patients with various advanced solid malignancies receiving concomitantly a 3-day infusion of cisplatin. The latter was given at a dose of 40 mg/m2/day over 6 hours every day, in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. Diphenhydramine and dexamethasone were also administered. This prolonged antiemetic therapy proved to be safe with only a 16% incidence (five of 30 patients) of extrapyramidal side effects not necessitating discontinuation of MCP. Also, antiemetic efficacy was demonstrated with 63% of the patients not experiencing any emesis.