Haloperidol versus ondansetron for prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
BACKGROUND
Haloperidol is effective for postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis, but there are almost no data comparing it to 5-HT(3) antagonists.


METHODS
Two hundred forty-four adults were randomized to receive i.v. haloperidol 1 mg or ondansetron 4 mg, during general anesthesia. Nausea, vomiting, need for rescue, sedation, extrapyramidal effects, QTc intervals, and time to postanesthesia care unit discharge were evaluated with a third-party blind design.


RESULTS
There was no intergroup difference in any measure of efficacy or toxicity. Haloperidol and ondansetron subjects (78.2% and 76.8%) had complete response. Postoperatively, prolonged QTc occurred in 28.9% and 22.1% (N.S.).


CONCLUSIONS
In a mixed surgical population, the efficacy and toxicity of postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis with haloperidol 1 mg was not significantly different from ondansetron 4 mg.
Rosow
Carl E
CE
Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114, USA. crosow@partners.org
Haspel
Kenneth L
KL
Smith
Sarah E
SE
Grecu
Loreta
L
Bittner
Edward A
EA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3 / Q000378:metabolism; D058831:Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000932:Antiemetics; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3; D058831:Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017294:Ondansetron; D006220:Haloperidol