title: The use of ondansetron to treat pruritus associated with intrathecal morphine in two paediatric patients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Philadelphia, PA 19134-1095, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stayer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dorsey
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D017294:Ondansetron; D009020:Morphine