Gabapentin in Preventing Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

OBJECTIVES: * To evaluate the effectiveness of gabapentin in controlling delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy as defined by the percentage of complete responders (no emetic episodes and no rescue medication) on days 2 through 6 (five days after receipt of highly emetogenic chemotherapy) compared to an effective prophylactic regimen. * To evaluate the effectiveness of gabapentin in controlling delayed CINV in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy as defined by the percentage of complete responders (no emetic episodes, no more than mild nausea, and no rescue medication) on days 2 through 6 compared to an effective prophylactic regimen. * To compare the effectiveness of these regimens in controlling acute CINV on day 1 of treatment in these patients. * To compare the use of rescue agents in these patients. * To determine the tolerability of gabapentin in these patients. * To evaluate the effect of gabapentin for delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting on symptom distress and functional abilities in these patients. * To compare alternative endpoints and methods for assessing nausea and vomiting and to determine how these measures compare to patient's satisfaction with symptom control, distress and function. OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to gender, age (\< 50 years vs \> 50 years), history of alcoholism (yes vs no), and history of motion sickness or history of pregnancy induced nausea/vomiting (yes vs no). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. * Arm I: Patients receive oral dexamethasone with 5HT3 receptor antagonist and oral gabapentin once daily on day 1 of chemotherapy. Patients then receive oral dexamethasone twice daily with or without 5HT3 receptor antagonist on days 2-4, and oral gabapentin either two or three times daily on days 2-5 of chemotherapy. * Arm II: Patients receive oral dexamethasone with 5HT3 receptor antagonist and oral placebo once daily on day 1 of chemotherapy. Patients then receive oral dexamethasone twice daily with or without 5HT3 receptor antagonist on days 2-4, and oral placebo either two or three times daily on days 2-5 of chemotherapy. Patients complete a Functional Living Index - Emesis questionnaire, an overall satisfaction survey, and a side effect experience diary at baseline and on day 6. Patients also complete a nausea and vomiting diary at baseline and periodically during study therapy.