Clonazepam for Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV)

Abstract

Background: A 51-year-old woman experienced refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in spite of extensive antiemetic therapy, including 5-HT₃ antagonists, corticosteroids, dopamine antagonists and antihistamines. Case Report: We administered the patient clonazepam. After taking clonazepam, the patient fully recovered from the nausea and vomiting and never experienced them again. Conclusion: Clonazepam may be useful in the control of CINV. We believe that clonazepam contributed to the favorable outcome by expressing an anxiolytic and an anticonvulsant effect on myoclonus. The efficacy of clonazepam in this indication of prevention of CINV warrants further investigation.