[Preventive therapy for nausea and vomiting in patients on opioid therapy for non-malignant pain in rheumatology].
OBJECTIVE
To determine if systematic use of metoclopramide associated with opioids (Morphine sulfate SR) decreases the incidence of nausea and vomiting (N&V), established adverse effects of opioids.


METHODS
Open randomised study with 132 patients treated for non malignant pain (71 women, 61 men, mean age 53.4 years). One group (n = 76) was treated with morphine alone; the other (n = 56) with morphine plus metoclopramide. Mean duration of therapy: 6 days; mean dosage: 60 mg/d


RESULTS
In the 2 groups, N&V were present in the first 72 hours. The frequency of N&V in the morphine group was 38.1% (conform with the literature). The systematic use of metoclopramide decreases the frequency of N&V: p < 0.005. However the use of morphine > 60 mg/d decreases N&V: p = 0.036. High dosages of morphine can have an antiemetic effect by interaction with the mu receptors in the antiemetic center and not in the trigger zone which has an emetic effect.


CONCLUSIONS
The systematic use of metoclopramide with opioid therapy for non malignant pain in rheumatology decreases the risk of nausea and vomiting.
Scotto di Fazano
C
C
Service de Rhumatologie et Thérapeutique, CHU Dupuytren, Limoges, France.
Vergne
P
P
Grilo
R M
RM
Bertin
P
P
Bonnet
C
C
Trèves
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000932:Antiemetics; D009020:Morphine; D008787:Metoclopramide