Antiemetic activity of the NK1 receptor antagonist GR205171 in the treatment of established postoperative nausea and vomiting after major gynaecological surgery

In this double-blind, randomized, parallel group study, we have investigate d the antiemetic activity of the potent and selective NK1 receptor antagoni st GR205171 25 mg i.v. compared with placebo in the treatment of establishe d postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients after major gynaecol ogical surgery performed under general anaesthesia. The incidence of PONV i n the study population was 65%. Thirty-six patients were treated with place bo or GR205171 (18 patients per group). GR205171 produced greater control o f PONV than placebo over the 24-h assessment period. The stimuli for emesis after PONV are multifactorial and the efficacy of GR205171 in this study s upports the broad spectrum potential far NK1 receptor antagonists in the ma nagement of postoperative emesis. GR205171 was well tolerated and no advers e events were reported that would preclude the further development of this agent.