The use of ondansetron to treat pruritus associated with intrathecal morphine in two paediatric patients.
Intrathecal morphine is an effective technique for providing postoperative analgesia after major surgical procedures in children. Pruritus is a common side effect associated with intrathecal morphine. We report two patients who experienced significant pruritus associated with intrathecal morphine administration and were successfully treated with ondansetron. Ondansetron appears to be a beneficial and safe method of relieving pruritus associated with intrathecal morphine.
Arai
L
L
St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Philadelphia, PA 19134-1095, USA.
Stayer
S
S
Schwartz
R
R
Dorsey
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000698:Analgesia; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D017294:Ondansetron; D009020:Morphine