Comparison of the effectiveness of ginger and vitamin B6 for treatment of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of ginger and vitamin B6 for treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.


METHODS
Randomized double-blind controlled trial.


METHODS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Medical College and Vajira Hospital.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-six pregnant women, with a gestational age of < or = 16 weeks who had nausea and vomiting, required anti-emetics, had no medical complication, and were not hospitalized. Pregnant women were randomly allocated to receive either 650 mg of ginger or 25 mg of vitamin B6. They were given three times per day for 4 days. The degree of nausea and vomiting were assessed by three physical symptoms of Rhode's score (episodes of nausea, duration of nausea and number of vomits). These were recorded 24 hours before treatment for baseline and each subsequent day of treatment. Difference of baseline and post-treatment nausea vomiting scores were calculated for both groups during 4 days of treatment.


RESULTS
One hundred and twenty-three women returned to follow-up. Ginger and vitamin B6 significantly reduced nausea and vomiting scores from 8.7 +/- 2.2 to 5.4 +/- 2.0 and 8.3 +/- 2.5 to 5.7 +/- 2.3 respectively, (p < 0.05). The mean score change after treatment with ginger was greater than with vitamin B6 (3.3 +/- 1.5 versus 2.6 +/- 1.3), (p < 0.05). There were some minor side effects in both groups 25.4% and 23.8% (p = 0.795) respectively, such as sedation, heartburn, arrhythmia.


CONCLUSIONS
Both ginger and vitamin B6 were effective for treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Moreover, ginger was more effective than vitamin B6. Side effects from ginger were reported to be minor and did not need any treatment.
Chittumma
Porndee
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Medical College and Vajira Hospital, Dusit, Bangkok, Thailand.
Kaewkiattikun
Kasem
K
Wiriyasiriwach
Bussaba
B
D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D020939:Zingiber officinale; D006801:Humans; D009325:Nausea / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D025101:Vitamin B 6