Betamethasone does not prevent nausea and vomiting induced by the dopamine-agonist apomorphine.
OBJECTIVE
The mechanism of the antiemetic actions of corticosteroids is not known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if betamethasone can prevent nausea, vomiting or increase of vasopressin induced by apomorphine. Metoclopramide, a dopamine antagonist, was used as a control substance.


METHODS
Ten healthy volunteers were studied on three occasions. In a randomized order they were allocated to receive pretreatment with betamethasone 8 mg iv, metoclopramide 10 mg iv, and normal saline 2 mL as placebo on the three different occasions, 15 min before the administration of apomorphine 30 microg x kg(-1) s.c.. After administration of apomorphine, episodes of vomiting were recorded, and the intensity of nausea was estimated by the subject on a visual analogue scale (VAS 0-10 cm). Blood samples for analysis of plasma concentrations of vasopressin were analyzed.


RESULTS
One volunteer decided to withdraw, as he experienced akathisia after receiving metoclopramide. During the first two hours after apomorphine, eight of nine volunteers vomited both after betamethasone and placebo. One volunteer did not vomit after betamethasone and placebo but he experienced nausea. None of the volunteers vomited after metoclopramide (P < 0.01 vs betamethasone and placebo). The maximum VAS for nausea was significantly higher after betamethasone and placebo compared to metoclopramide (P < 0.01). The vasopressin levels increased after betamethasone and placebo, but there was no increase in any volunteer after pretreatment with metoclopramide.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that betamethasone does not prevent nausea, vomiting and increase of vasopressin induced by apomorphine, whereas metoclopramide prevents apomorphine-induced emesis. Our work suggests that betamethasone does not have dopamine-antagonistic effects.
Axelsson
Patric
P
Department of Anesthesiology, Karlstad Central Hospital.
Thörn
Sven-Egron
SE
Lövqvist
Asa
A
Wattwil
Lisbeth
L
Wattwil
Magnus
M
D000328:Adult; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000097:blood; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014667:Vasopressins; D001623:Betamethasone; D008787:Metoclopramide; D001058:Apomorphine