SYMPTOMATIC ACUTE MUCOSITIS CAN BE MINIMIZED OR PROPHYLAXED BY THE COMBINATION OF SUCRALFATE AND FLUCONAZOLE

Mucositis is a common and often serious acute morbidity when radiation is delivered to portals encompassing the oral cavity, pharynx, or esophagus. In an effort to minimize this side effect, the combination of sucralfate and fluconazole was prescribed to 40 patients. Half were given sucralfate, 1 g in suspension q.i.d. from the first week to the completion of radiation with fluconazole 100 mg., q.d. for 14 days initiated during the fourth week. The remaining individuals were placed on the same dosages of the two drugs dispensed simultaneously after symptoms appeared. For both cohorts the combination of sucralfate and fluconazole was effective in diminishing oral discomfort and pain associated with radiation and chemotherapy. When medication was delivered from the first week of therapy, all patients could achieve the prescribed radiation dose without treatment interruption and be maintained on a regular diet. The combination of drugs was also effective in minimizing symptoms once they appeared.