title: Efficacy of orally administered ondansetron in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a dose ranging study.
abstract: In a placebo-controlled, double-blind study, we have compared the efficacy of ondansetron 16 mg, 8 mg and 1 mg administered 8-hourly for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. We studied 995 patients undergoing major gynaecological surgery; 982 were included in the analysis. Study medication was administered 1 h before induction of anaesthesia and second and third doses were given 8 and 16 h after the first. The treatment groups were similar for patient characteristics, surgical procedures, anaesthetics administered and opioids given. The frequency of nausea was 75%, 70%, 56% and 55% after placebo and ondansetron 1 mg, 8 mg and 16 mg, respectively; the corresponding frequencies of vomiting were 60%, 55%, 37% and 37%. Ondansetron 8 mg was as effective as 16 mg and both resulted in significant reductions in nausea and vomiting compared with placebo and ondansetron 1 mg (P less than 0.001).
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, University of Glasgow.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Kenny
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Oates
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leeser
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Rowbotham
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lip
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rust
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saur
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Onsrud
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Haigh
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017294:Ondansetron; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D007093:Imidazoles; D017294:Ondansetron