Efficacy of orally administered ondansetron in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a dose ranging study.
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).
Kenny
G N
GN
Department of Anaesthesia, University of Glasgow.
Oates
J D
JD
Leeser
J
J
Rowbotham
D J
DJ
Lip
H
H
Rust
M
M
Saur
P
P
Onsrud
M
M
Haigh
C G
CG
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*
D000932:Antiemetics; D007093:Imidazoles; D017294:Ondansetron