Metoclopramide pretreatment attenuates emergency contraceptive-associated nausea.
OBJECTIVE
The study was undertaken to determine whether metoclopramide pretreatment attenuates side effects associated with high-dose estrogen/progestin emergency contraception in at-risk patients.


METHODS
This was a randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study at the University of Kansas. Patients (141) requesting emergency contraception and lacking contraindications were offered entry in the study. Both the treatment (metoclopramide 10 mg) and placebo groups received active emergency contraception. Participants evaluated symptom severity with a 12-question survey tool developed for this study.


RESULTS
Metoclopramide pretreatment provided protection against nausea and cramping associated with estrogen/progestin emergency contraception. The average scores on a 10-point scale for the treatment group and placebo group were as follows: nausea 3.2 versus 4.8 (P =.01) and cramping 0.9 versus 2.2 (P <.01), indicating less severe nausea and cramping in the treatment group.


CONCLUSIONS
Metoclopramide pretreatment attenuates the nausea and cramping associated with Yuzpe emergency contraceptive treatment.
Ragan
Ronald E
RE
Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, Lawrence 66045, USA. ragan@ku.edu
Rock
Randall W
RW
Buck
Henry W
HW
D000328:Adult; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004967:Estrogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011372:Progestins / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000932:Antiemetics; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D004967:Estrogens; D011372:Progestins; D008787:Metoclopramide