Low-dose granisetron for postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of low-dose granisetron in postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis.


METHODS
Clinical trials available through PubMed and OVID (1966-July 2003), as well as information supplied by the drug manufacturer, were accessed.


RESULTS
Safety concerns associated with droperidol and limited availability of other agents have created a need to restructure prophylaxis guidelines for postoperative nausea and vomiting. It has recently been proposed that granisetron may be effective at a dose that is one-tenth of the Food and Drug Administration-approved dose. Conflicting evidence for this regimen is evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the scarcity of supporting data, this regimen is not recommended for prophylaxis in patients at risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2582, USA. cormansl@msx.upmc.edu
Shelby L
SL
Corman
Susan J
SJ
Skledar
Nicole T
NT
Ansani
D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D017829:Granisetron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000932:Antiemetics; D017829:Granisetron