Haloperidol plus ondansetron versus ondansetron alone for prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
BACKGROUND
Haloperidol 1 mg and ondansetron 4 mg are equally safe and effective for postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis. We compared the combination to ondansetron alone in a mixed surgical population.


METHODS
Two-hundred and sixty-eight adults undergoing general anesthesia received 4 mg ondansetron plus 1 mg haloperidol or saline in this randomized, double-blind protocol. Efficacy and safety data were obtained until 480 min after postanesthesia care unit entry.


RESULTS
The combination had more complete responders (76.2% vs 59.2%), less nausea, less rescue, and longer time to rescue. Sedation, time to postanesthesia care unit discharge, and QTc prolongation were not different. No subject had dystonia, akathisia, or serious dysrhythmias.


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis with both drugs is significantly more effective and longer lasting than ondansetron alone. There is no detectable increase in side effects.
Grecu
Loreta
L
Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Bittner
Edward A
EA
Kher
Jay
J
Smith
Sarah E
SE
Rosow
Carl E
CE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron; D006220:Haloperidol