New-Medicine-Report-Ondansetron
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NHS Suffolk Drug & Therapeutics Committee New Medicine Report This drug has been reviewed because it is a product that may be prescribed in primary care. Medicine Ondansetron for the management of nausea and vomiting induced by cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy (NB: see also ondansetron for the prevention and treatment of post operative nausea and vomiting). Document status Reviewed January 2012 Suffolk D&TC Date of last revision 23rd January 2012 Traffic light decision Red – Hospital only Prescribers rating A real advance - The product is an important therapeutic innovation but has certain limitations Mechanism of action Ondansetron is a potent, highly selective 5HT3 receptor- antagonist. Its precise mode of action in the control of nausea and vomiting is not known. Chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy may cause release of 5HT in the small intestine initiating a vomiting reflex by activating vagal afferents via 5HT3 receptors. Ondansetron blocks the initiation of this reflex. Activation of vagal afferents may also cause a release of 5HT in the area postrema, located on the floor of the fourth ventricle, and this may also promote emesis through a central mechanism. Thus, the effect of ondansetron in the management of the nausea and vomiting induced by cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy is probably due to antagonism of 5HT3 receptors on neurons located both in the peripheral and central nervous system. Ondansetron does not alter plasma prolactin concentrations. Medicine class Nausea and vertigo BNF 4.6 Indication Ondansetron is indicated for the management of nausea and vomiting induced by cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy and for the prevention and treatment of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). (Note: ondansetron is also used for a number of unlicensed indications including: drug-induced nausea and vomiting, gastroenteritis – Vomiting, hyperemesis gravidarum, Injection site pain, panic disorder, pruritus, schizophrenia, refractory; adjunct. Evidence for the unlicensed indications has not been This is an NHS Suffolk document that has been adopted by the WSCCG. considered. Dosage Chemotherapy and radiotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Adults: the emetogenic potential of cancer treatment varies according to the doses and combinations of chemotherapy and radiotherapy regimens used. The route of administration and dose of ondansetron should be flexible in the range of 8-32mg a day and selected as shown below. Emetogenic Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy: Ondansetron can be given either by rectal, oral (tablets or liquid), intravenous or intramuscular administration. For oral administration: 8mg 1-2 hours before treatment, followed by 8mg 12 hours later. To protect against delayed or prolonged emesis after the first 24 hours, oral or rectal treatment with ondansetron should be continued for up to 5 days after a course of treatment. The recommended dose for oral administration is 8mg twice daily. Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy: For patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy, e.g. high-dose cisplatin, ondansetron can be given either by oral, rectal, intravenous or intramuscular administration. The recommended oral dose is 24mg taken together with oral dexamethasone sodium phosphate 12mg, 1 to 2 hours before treatment. To protect against delayed or prolonged emesis after the first 24 hours, oral or rectal treatment with ondansetron should be continued for up to 5 days after a course of treatment. The recommended dose for oral administration is 8mg twice daily. Paediatric Population: CINV in children aged 6 months and adolescents The dose for CINV can be calculated based on body surface area (BSA) or weight – see below. Weight-based dosing results in higher total daily doses compared to BSA-based dosing. There are no data from controlled clinical trials on the use of ondansetron in the prevention of delayed or prolonged CINV. There are no data from controlled clinical trials on the use of ondansetron for radiotherapy- induced nausea and vomiting in children. Dosing by BSA: Ondansetron should be administered immediately before chemotherapy as a single intravenous dose of 5mg/m2. The intravenous dose must not exceed 8mg. Oral dosing can commence twelve hours later and may be continued for up to 5 days (Table 1). The total daily dose must not exceed adult dose of 32mg. Table 1: BSA-based dosing for Chemotherapy - Children aged 6 months and adolescents (a,b) (b) BSA Day 1 Days 2-6 2 2 < 0.6 m 5 mg/m i.v. plus 2 mg syrup every 2 mg syrup after 12 hrs 12 hrs 2 2 0 .6 m 5 mg/m i.v. plus 4 mg syrup or 4 mg syrup or tablet every 12 tablet after 12 hrs hrs a The intravenous dose must not exceed 8mg. b The total daily dose must not exceed adult dose of 32 mg Dosing by bodyweight: Weight-based dosing results in higher total daily doses compared to BSA-based dosing. Ondansetron should be administered immediately before chemotherapy as a single intravenous dose of 0.15mg/kg. The intravenous dose must not exceed 8mg. Two further intravenous doses may be given in 4 hourly intervals. The total daily dose must not exceed adult dose of 32mg. Oral dosing can commence twelve hours later and may be continued for up to 5 days (Table 2). Table 2: Weight-based dosing for Chemotherapy - Children aged 6 months and adolescents (a,b) (b) Weight Day 1 Days 2-6 10 kg Up to 3 doses of 2 mg syrup 0.15 mg/kg every 4 every 12 hrs hrs > 10 kg Up to 3 doses of 4 mg syrup 0.15 mg/kg every 4 or tablet hrs every 12 hrs a The intravenous dose must not exceed 8mg. b The total daily dose must not exceed adult dose of 32 mg. Hepatic Impairment: clearance of ondansetron is significantly reduced and serum half-life significantly prolonged in subjects with moderate or severe impairment of hepatic function. In such patients a total daily dose of 8mg should not be exceeded and therefore parenteral or oral administration is recommended. Treatment There are two other 5HT3 receptor antagonists alternatives granesetron and palonsetron Other options include: Antihistamines, phenothiazines, domperidone, metoclopramide, neurokinin receptor antagonists (aprepitant and fosaprepitant), nabilone and hyosine. See BNF 62 and relevant SPCs for licensed indications and doses. Place in therapy The management of nausea and vomiting induced by cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy and for the prevention and treatment of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) according to local guidelines and pathways. Future alternatives None known at present. Evidence for use Ondansetron is established in clinical use for the treatment and prophylaxis of adults and children with radiotherapy and chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. The key clinical trials were performed in the 80s and early 90s and have not been individually reviewed in this document. A summary of the evidence, taken from DrugDex (a US drug information resource) is shown in appendix 1. References available on request. NNT Not calculated Cautions / side Constipation, headache, flushing, injection site reactions, effects hiccups, hypotension, bradycardia, chest pain, arrhythmias, movement disorders, seizures. On IV administration dizziness rarely, transient visual disturbances (very rarely transient blindness). Suppositories may cause rectal irritation. Cost within PbR In tariff tariff? Cost (prices from Preparation Price BNF 62) Ondansetron 4mg tablets x30 = £63.06 Ondansetron 8mg tablets x8 = £47.18 Ondansetron oral solution 4mg/5ml 50ml = £38.19 Ondansetron injection 2mg/ml 2ml amp £5.39 Ondansetron injection 2mg/ml 4ml amp £10.79 Zofran 4mg Melts x10 = £35.97 Zofran oral solution 4mg/5ml 50ml = £35.97 Zofran suppositories 16mg x1=£14.39 Comparative costs of Drug Cost other medicines Granesetron 1mg tablets x10 =£51.20 Granesetron injection 1mg/ml 1ml = £1.20 Granesetron injection 1mg/ml 3ml = £4.80 Palonsetron (Aloxi) 50mcg/ml 5ml=£55.89 Potential number of The majority of patients being treated for the patients & usage in management of nausea and vomiting induced by Suffolk PCT cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy would have ondansetron prescribed in secondary care. Points for • Ondansetron is prescribed routinely, consideration prophylactically and post treatment for patients receiving chemo and radiotherapy at both IHT and the WSH. • With a move towards increased homecare delivery of drugs, the onus may fall to the GP to prescribe these ancillary drugs. Is the drug on the West Suffolk Hospital - yes WSH or IHT Ipswich Hospital - yes formularies? Decisions from other Cambridgeshire JPG - bodies Norfolk TAG - Red SMC/NICE – AWMSG – Comments sought from Decision review date This review has been based on the SPCs for Zofran (GSK) tablets and injection, BNF 62 and DrugDex. There are a variety of formulations, strengths and brands (including generics) of ondansetron. Please refer to the individual Summary of Product Characteristics available via www.medcines.org.uk/ References 1. Summary of Product Characteristics. Zofran 4 & 8mg tablets and melts, suppositories injection and syrup. GlaxoSmithKline UK. Date of revision of the texts 18/10/2011. Accessed 04/01/2012 via www.medicinescomplete.com 2. Martin J, editor. British National Formulary No 62. London: British Medical Association and The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain; September 2011, p.257/8. 3. Klasco R, editor. DRUGDEX® System electronic version. Thomson Micromedex, Greenwood Village, Colorado, USA. Ondansetron, Drugdex evaluation. Accessed 30/12/2011 via http://www.thomsonhc.com. Appendix 1 (from DrugDex) Evidence for the use