Schedules of Dexamethasone in Patients Incorrectly Taking Dexamethasone Premedication (REaCT-dexamethasone)
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2019-03-15
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Docetaxel chemotherapy is commonly used in patients with breast cancer. With the widespread
use of steroid premedication, the incidence of fluid retention and skin toxicity side effects
has been minimal. Premedication with dexamethasone (8mg twice daily) is recommended starting
the day before chemotherapy and continuing for three days. Patients may forget to take all or
part of their premedication prior to docetaxel administration, and additional doses of
steroids are frequently give in place of the forgotten oral dose. The processes around
treating patients who have incorrectly taken their medication are cumbersome leading to
significant delays in patients receiving their chemotherapy while the chemotherapy nurse
tries to contact the patients treating physician for guidance on the dose and route of
dexamethasone they want administered. Most importantly with the current standard of care
procedure, by the time the chemotherapy nurse, pharmacist and medical oncologist have spoken
and made a treatment plan, the patient has been waiting for on average of an additional 1-2
hours before actually starting their chemotherapy.