Comparison of Nausea and Vomiting among Patients Whose Receiving Antiemesis Drug and Antiemesis Drug with Ginger in Cancer Patients Receiving AC and FAC Formulations, Lopburi Cancer Hospital

Abstract

Background : Chemotherapy is one of the treatments for cancer. This method is not only for demolishing but also decreasing cancer cells. Furthermore, it also prevents growth of cancer cell. While the formulations might be innumerable, two of the most common chemotherapy formulations are Adriamycin + Cyclophoshpamide (AC) and 5-Fluorcaride + Adriamycin + Cyclophosphamide (FAC), causing nauseous as a side effect. Generally, oncologists will prescribe chemotherapy drug along with antiemesis drug. Additionally, they will also provide herbs as supplementary drug.

Objective : To compare chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting between patients receiving antiemesis drug and antiemesis drug with ginger in cancer patients receiving Adriamycin + Cyclophosphamide (AC) and 5-Fluorouracil + Adriamycin + Cyclophosphamide (FAC) formulations in Department of Outpatient Chemotherapy, Lopburi Cancer Hospital.

Method : Purposive sampling of 60 patients receiving chemotherapy was selected. They were divided to experimental group and control group, 30 cases each. Questionnaire includes general information such as age, education, occupation, cycle of chemotherapy, nausea and vomiting which inspected by expert specialist. Data were collected by questionnaire between 1 January, 2019 and March, 2019. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percent, average, standard deviation) and inferential statistics as Chi-Square test.

Result : The results found that the control group received antiemesis drug and experimental group received antiemesis drug with ginger chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting 60% and 40% that difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion : The findings showed non conclusion about the use of ginger and proportion of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting of 40% There is still a need to develop guideline or ways to help reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting such as the use of other herbs or increase concentration of ginger or increase the number of times ginger drink in cancer patients receiving AC and FAC formulations.