Monday, Nov. 03, 2008
Seasick Patch for Cancer Patients
Those motion-sickness patches can really help calm a churning stomach on a boat. So, someone decided to apply the same idea to deliver anti-nausea drugs to cancer patients after chemotherapy. In September, the FDA approved Sancuso, a patch that releases a continuous dose of the drug granisetron, which blocks serotonin receptors and reduces queasiness. The prescription drug is already available to cancer patients in solution, tablet or injection form, but the patch makes delivery easier and more convenient. Once on, the Sancuso patch quells nausea and vomiting for about five days.