Evaluating the Effect of Oral Famotidine in Preventing Hypersensitivity Reactions in Individuals Receiving Platinum-Based Agents or Taxanes.

Abstract

Introduction: Hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), an unpredictable and sometimes harmful reaction, may hamper the effectiveness of chemotherapy and lead to the need for drug switching. The recall of ranitidine from the drug market due to the N-nitrosodimethylamine production necessitates the identification of a proper alternative for the prevention of HSRs. Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oral famotidine in the prevention of HSRs in patients who received chemotherapy agents, particularly platinum-based and taxanes.

Methods: A total of 426 patients who were treated with platinum-based agents or taxanes as part of their regimen were divided into two groups. The famotidine group, including 213 patients, received the standard premedication along with an oral dose of 40 mg famotidine the night before and 1 h prior to the chemotherapy session. The control group, also including 213 patients, received only the standard premedication without famotidine.

Results: Based on the results of this study, six patients in the control group experienced HSRs with a range of varying severities. No HSRs were observed by any of the patients in the famotidine group (p-value = 0.022).

Conclusion: Administration of oral famotidine is beneficial in preventing chemotherapy-induced HSRs.

Clinical trial registration: It was also registered with the Iran Clinical Trial Centre under code IRCT20160310026998N13.