PRESCRIPTION PATTERN OF PROPHYLACTIC ANTIEMETICS IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS: A RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to study the prescription pattern of prophylactic antiemetics in breast cancer patients. Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out. Over a period of 3 months, all chemotherapy order sheets of breast cancer patients were collected and evaluated for prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). We compared each antiemetic drug used for CINV prophylaxis with international antiemetic guidelines, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Results: A total of 103 breast cancer patients were included in the study, for which 141 chemotherapy physician prescriptions included antiemetic drugs. Approximately 51.06% of anticancer agents had high emetic risk, 2.13% had moderate emetic risk, and 43.26% and 3.55% of anticancer agents had low and minimal emetic risk, respectively. Most frequently prescribed anticancer drug was paclitaxel 49 (34.75%). About 43.97% of the antiemetic regimen were found following NCCN guidelines. Conclusion: The development of institutional policy for assessment and guidance of the chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting prophylaxis may improve the consistency between antiemetic prescribing and guidelines.