Assessment of the effectiveness of Oral famotidine as Premedication in hypersensitivity reaction to chemotherapy drugs at 2020

Abstract

Hypersensitivity reactions are sudden, unpredictable, and sometimes dangerous reactions that may occur with chemotherapy drugs. These reactions can affect any organ in the body, and the severity of the involvement can be mild to severe. Hypersensitivity reactions may interfere with the chemotherapy process and even cause drug switching, so it is important to prevent these reactions. Aim: Due to the importance of type 2 histamine receptor blockers (especially ranitidine) as part of hypersensitivity reactions preventing regimen and due to the recall of ranitidine from the drug market due to the production of NMDA, finding a suitable alternative to this drug seems necessary.Materials and Methods: In the present study, the effects of oral famotidine (which are suitable alternatives to ranitidine) in preventing hypersensitivity reactions to chemotherapy drugs were investigated. To do this, patients who received carboplatin, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, and docetaxel as part of their chemotherapy regimen were screened and then received 40 mg oral famotidine the night before chemotherapy and one hour before chemotherapy. For evaluating the effectiveness of famotidine in preventing hypersensitivity reactions to chemotherapy drugs patients' symptoms were monitored during and after chemotherapy. ESMO questionnaires were used to monitor patients.Results: Based on the results of 396 patients, six people in the control group were examined and in the control group, no case of group reactions to drugs was observed due to the difference between the control group and the case group. (p-value = 0.022) Conclusion: Administration of 40 mg oral famotidine has been effective in preventing hypersensitivity reactions induced by chemotherapy drugs.