Dexamethasone is a potent synthetic member of the corticosteroid. It is given to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to counteract emetic side effect and essential drug for the chemotherapy-treated patients. Hiccup is common adverse effect of corticosteroid especially on dexamethasone varying from 3% to 60% of given patients. Discontinuance of dexamethasone relieves most hiccupping cases, but vomiting/nausea rates increase. It is not clear whether hiccup side effect is limited to the dexamethasone only or other corticosteroid group. Methylprednisolone, synthetic corticosteroid as similar as dexamethasone, could be considered as antiemetic agent for the patients with receiving chemotherapy. The investigators perform this pilot study under hypothesis that replacing dexamethasone with methylprednisolone could maintain antiemetic role and prevent hiccup.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Run-in period: dexamethasone 10-20mg q day iv during chemotherapy Treatment period: methylprednisolone 60-125mg iv during chemotherapy
Gyeongsang University Hospital
Jinju, South Korea
Prevention rate of dexamethasone induced hiccup
measure the presence of hiccup and its severity 24 hous after chemotherapy
Time frame: 24hrs after chemotherapy
Prevention rate of nausea and vomiting
Prevention rate of nausea and vomiting 24 hours and 7 days after chemotherapy, respectively
Time frame: acute; 24 hours, delayed; 7 days after chemotherapy
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.