SUSTAINED-RELEASE METOCLOPRAMIDE FOR PROPHYLAXIS OF POSTOPERATIVE NAUSEA AND VOMITING

Oral metoclopramide may be given as a premedicant to reduce post-opera tive nausea and vomiting, but there is little evidence that it is effe ctive. We studied the anti-emetic action of a sustained release formul ation of metoclopramide (Gastromax 30 mg) in 39 fit women undergoing i npatient laparoscopy under general anaesthesia with a standardized ana esthetic technique in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. No bene fit was demonstrated. (Incidences: nausea: 13 of 20 patients [placebo] and 13 of 19 [metoclopramide]; vomiting: 13 of 20 and 12 of 19.)