5-HT3 Antagonists (Antiemetics) and Cardiac Safety

University of British Columbia

Status: Completed

Conditions: Adverse Reaction to Other Drugs and Medicines

Treatments: Drug: Ondansetron

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02436798

H13-02338

Details and patient eligibility

About

5-HT3 antagonists (ondansetron) are highly effective medications for the treatment of nausea and vomiting. However, these medications also associated with potentially severe and life-threatening cardiac adverse drug reactions (ADRs), particularly QT prolongation. Data regarding the cardiac safety and inter-individual variability in cardiac effects of ondansetron when used in vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women are very limited. The results of this study will enable better-informed therapeutic decision-making regarding the use of ondansetron in children and pregnant women, with the overall goal to improve the safety of these commonly used antiemetic medications. Furthermore, predictive pharmacogenetic markers of severe 5-HT3 antagonist toxicity could be used to identify patients at risk of cardiac toxicity before the drug is administered.

Full description

The specific objectives are to:

1. Determine and compare the cardiac safety profile of ondansetron in children, when used for prevention and management of post-operative nausea and vomiting and chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Identify clinical factors including pre-existing cardiac conditions or physiological conditions that predispose to ventricular arrhythmias, concomitant cardiotoxic chemotherapy or concomitant volatile anaesthetic agents and investigate their impact on cardiac adverse effects of ondansetron.
2. Determine and compare the cardiac safety profile of ondansetron when used in pregnant women or women of a reproductive age for the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum or post-operative nausea and vomiting. Identify clinical factors including pre-existing cardiac conditions or physiological conditions, which predispose to ventricular arrhythmias that may support implementation of risk mitigation actions.
3. Identify genetic variants associated with 5-HT3 antagonist-induced prolongation of QT interval.

Enrollment: 266 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 6 months to 45 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Children 6 months - 18 years of age who are being treated with ondansetron for prevention and management of post-operative nausea and vomiting and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
2. Pregnant women and women of a reproductive age (18-45 years of age) who are being treated with ondansetron for hyperemesis gravidarum or postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Exclusion criteria

1. Patients with congenital long QT syndrome.
2. Subjects who do not speak and understand English.

Trial design

266 participants in 2 patient groups

Pediatric patients

Description:

Children \<6 months to 18 years of age receiving ondansetron for management of: 1. Post-operative nausea and vomiting 2. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

Treatment:

Drug: Ondansetron

Female patients

Description:

Pregnant patients or women of a reproductive age (18-45 years) receiving ondansetron for management of: 1. Hyperemesis gravidarum 2. Post-operative nausea and vomiting

Treatment:

Drug: Ondansetron