Ginger as an antiemetic in nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy: A randomized, cross-over, double blind study

OBJECTIVE: To study the antiemetic effect of ginger root on nausea and vomiting induced by cyclophosphamide. METHODS: A randomized, prospective, cross-over, double-blind study was carried out in patients receiving cyclophosphamide in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents. Patients with atleast two episodes of vomiting in the previous cycle were included. The patients were randomly assigned to receive one of the three antiemetics: ginger, metoclopramide or ondansetron in the first cycle. They were admitted in the ward for 24 h and observed for the incidence of nausea and vomiting and adverse effects if any, were recorded. Patients were crossed over to receive the other antiemetic treatments during the two successive cycles of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Complete control of nausea was achieved in 62% of patients on ginger, 58% with metoclopramide and 86% with ondansetron. Complete control of vomiting was achieved in 68% of patients on ginger, 64% with metoclopramide and 86% with ondansetron. No adverse effects attributable to ginger were recorded. CONCLUSION: Powdered ginger root in the dose used was found to be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting induced by low dose cyclophosphamide in combination with drugs causing mild emesis. The antiemetic efficacy of ginger was found to be equal to that of metoclopramide but ondansetron was found to be superior than the other two.