A PILOT-STUDY OF INTRAVENOUS ONDANSETRON FOR HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM

OBJECTIVE: We attempted to determine whether the antiemetic ondansetro n would be more effective than promethazine in treating hyperemesis gr avidarum. STUDY DESIGN: Patients with hyperemesis gravidarum who requi red hospital admission were randomized to receive either intravenous o ndansetron (n = 15) or intravenous promethazine (n = 15) in a double-b lind manner. Severity of disease was determined by electrolyte status, weight loss, ketonuria, and prior use of outpatient antiemetics. Outc ome variables included degree of nausea, weight gain during treatment, days of hospitalization, and number of medication doses. RESULTS: In this preliminary investigation ondansetron offered no advantage when c ompared with promethazine in the relief of nausea, weight gain, days o f hospitalization (4.5 +/- 2.3 vs 4.5 +/- 1,5), and total doses of med ication per hospitalization (2.1 +/- 1.2 vs 1.9 +/- 1.3). CONCLUSION: This preliminary trial of ondansetron demonstrated no benefit over pro methazine in patients hospitalized for hyperemesis gravidarum.