Haloperidol Versus Ondansetron for Prophylaxis of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

Authors:
  • KHKenneth L. Haspel
    Kenneth L. Haspel
  • SSSarah E. Smith
    Sarah E. Smith
  • LGLoreta Grecu
    Loreta Grecu
  • EBEdward A. Bittner
    Edward A. Bittner
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Abstract
Haloperidol is effective for postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis, but there are almost no data comparing it to 5-HT(3) antagonists. 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. 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.). 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.

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