Continuous infusion of high-dose metoclopramide for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy.

Fourteen patients undergoing strongly emetic cancer chemotherapy received a total of 33 continuous infusions of high-dose metoclopramide to prevent nausea and vomiting. Metoclopramide 2 mg/kg was given as an i.v. infusion over 15 min followed by continuous infusion over 13 h of 5 mg/kg. The antiemetic response could be evaluated in 12 patients receiving their first continuous metoclopramide infusion. Six patients were partly or completely protected from acute gastrointestinal disturbances. Three patients experienced a short-lived extrapyramidal syndrome during the continuous metoclopramide infusions. Other side effects observed were mild. Thus, high-dose metoclopramide given as a continuous infusion is an effective antiemetic treatment in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy.