Anti-Nausea Patch Approved By FDA For Chemotherapy Patients

Many cancer patients suffer from extreme nausea during chemotherapy, which is a common side effect of the treatment. In fact, some patients have to prematurely end their cancer treatment due to severe nausea and vomiting. The good news is that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now approved the use of a medication patch to ease, and even help prevent, the sometimes life-threatening side effect.

This approval by the FDA is the first for the use of an anti-nausea patch by chemotherapy patients. The patch, called Sancuso, can offer nausea relief for up to five days. Patients wear the transparent Sancuso patch on the upper arm where it continuously delivers a steady dose of a commonly used anti-nausea medication, known as granisetron, through the skin. Granisetron, works by blocking serotonin receptors, helping to prevent nausea. Granisetron can also be delivered by injection or orally through tablets or solution and is sold under the brand name Kytril, manufactured by Roche Pharmaceuticals.

Sancuso was developed the Scottish company ProStrakan. It is expected to be available by the end of this year.

The approval by the FDA was based on resulting data from a Phase III clinical trial in which Sancuso was compared with a once-daily oral does of granisetron and placebo. The patch was found to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy-as effectively as the oral product. About 9 percent of patients experienced adverse reactions, but overall, the drug was generally well tolerated.

According to Barbara Rogers, a nurse practitioner who specializes in cancer treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia and a consultant to ProStrakan, “It will be another way that we can address nausea and vomiting, coming from a route that we haven't had before.” She also added, “The patch is a nice option.”

Sancuso's most common side effect is constipation. In rare cases, the drug can mask a dangerous condition called bowel obstruction, which requires prompt medical treatment.

Approximately 1 million people undergo chemotherapy annually, with as many as 70 percent developing nausea. When a patient develops nausea prior to leaving the hospital, it can be immediately treated. However, many patients develop nausea after being released and sent home. Although anti-nausea pills are available, some cancer patients experience difficulties swallowing.

Rogers explained that the main benefit of Sancuso would be for people who have difficulty taking oral medications. However, other patients could also benefit since one patch can maintain a steady level of anti-nausea medication within the body for several days.

Healthcare professionals believe that eliminating nausea as a side effect of chemotherapy can boost patients physical strength as well as help them maintain emotional energy for their fight against cancer.