title: Ondansetron compared with metoclopramide in the treatment of established postoperative nausea and vomiting. The French Ondansetron Study Group.
abstract: We have studied 746 males and females undergoing general anaesthesia for any type of surgical procedure in a double-blind, controlled, randomized study. After experiencing at least one nausea and/or one emetic episode in the 6 h after recovery from anaesthesia, patients received either ondansetron 4 mg i.v. or metoclopramide 10 mg i.v. Patients were observed for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) for 24 h after drug administration. Complete control of PONV was achieved more frequently in the ondansetron-treated patients compared with the metoclopramide-treated patients during the 24-h period (59% vs 41% (P < 0.001) and 44% vs 34% (P = 0.006) for emetic episodes and nausea, respectively). Furthermore, ondansetron was associated with greater patient satisfaction than metoclopramide (P < 0.001) with 49% and 32% of patients, respectively, very satisfied. The overall incidence of adverse events was similar in the ondansetron (7%) and metoclopramide (8%) groups. Ondansetron was as well tolerated and more effective than metoclopramide for all assessment criteria in the treatment of established PONV.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Diemunsch
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Conseiller
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Clyti
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mamet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron; D008787:Metoclopramide