Effect of intravenous alizapride on spinal morphine-induced pruritus.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

This double-blind study was undertaken to determine whether alizapride inhibits spinal morphine-induced pruritus.

METHODS:

Eighty-four patients undergoing Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia (100 mg of hyperbaric lidocaine 5% plus morphine 0.2 mg) were randomly allocated to one of two groups. Just after birth, alizapride-50 mg (alizapride group) or metoclopramide-10 mg (metoclopramide group) were injected i.v. Patients were assessed after surgery for pruritus (absent, mild, moderate or severe) or other untoward symptoms.

RESULTS:

In the metoclopramide group, pruritus was absent in 5 (12%) patients, mild in 23 (55%), moderate in 11 (26%), and severe in 3 (7%), while in the alizapride group, these incidences were, respectively, 5 (12%), 33 (79%), 4 (10%), and 0 (P=0.045, chi(2)-test). There was no difference in the incidence of side-effects, which were all minor.

CONCLUSIONS:

Alizapride reduced the severity of morphine-induced pruritus.

• Authors: M L Horta, P T G Vianna
• Journal: British journal of anaesthesia (Br J Anaesth) Vol. 91 Issue 2 Pg. 287-9 (Aug 2003) ISSN: 0007-0912 [Print] England
• PMID: 12878632 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Antiemetics
• Antipruritics
• Pyrrolidines
• Morphine
• alizapride

Topics

• Analgesics, Opioid (adverse effects)
• Anesthesia, Obstetrical (adverse effects, methods)
• Anesthesia, Spinal (adverse effects)
• Antiemetics (therapeutic use)
• Antipruritics (therapeutic use)
• Cesarean Section
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Morphine (adverse effects)
• Pruritus (chemically induced, prevention & control)
• Pyrrolidines (therapeutic use)
• Severity of Illness Index