The addition of dexamethasone to dolasetron or haloperidol for treatment of established postoperative nausea and vomiting.
It is not known whether dexamethasone increases the effectiveness of anti-emetics when given to treat postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). In a randomised study, 242 patients who were experiencing PONV received dolasetron and placebo, haloperidol and placebo, dolasetron and dexamethasone, or haloperidol and dexamethasone. The results from 228 patients were suitable for analysis. PONV recurred significantly less frequently in patients treated with additional dexamethasone (33%) than in patients treated without additional dexamethasone (51%). The combination of dexamethasone with dolasetron or dexamethasone with haloperidol is superior to dolasetron or haloperidol alone for the treatment of PONV.
Rüsch
D
D
Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, University Hospital Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35033 Marburg, Germany. ruesch@staff.uni-marburg.de
Arndt
C
C
Martin
H
H
Kranke
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000932:Antiemetics; D007211:Indoles; D011807:Quinolizines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D003907:Dexamethasone; C060344:dolasetron; D006220:Haloperidol