A survey of prescribing for the management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy in Australasia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

There is an impression of poor management of pregnancy sickness in Australia, specifically an apparent total reliance on metoclopramide, as a first-line choice.

AIMS:

To determine what management options are commonly used in by distributing a survey to Fellows and Diplomates of RANZCOG.

METHODS:

A web-based survey questionnaire distributed using an email list obtained from RANZCOG.

RESULTS:

A total of 495 responses were received (23%). For morning sickness, 89% of those replying give dietary advice frequently or always, and 70% prescribe metoclopramide frequently or always, whereas 59% advise pyridoxine and 10% prescribe doxylamine. For hyperemesis gravidarum, 86% prescribe metoclopramide and 75% ondansetron.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite guidelines suggesting the use of antihistamines and dopamine agonists (phenothiazines), very few practitioners in this region make use of these in any numbers.

• Authors: Stephen H Raymond
• Journal: The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology (Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol) Vol. 53 Issue 4 Pg. 358-62 (Aug 2013) ISSN: 1479-828X [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 23346891 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2013 The Author ANZJOG © 2013 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Chemical References

• Antiemetics
• Dopamine Antagonists
• Histamine Antagonists
• Ondansetron
• Metoclopramide

Topics

• Antiemetics (therapeutic use)
• Australia
• Dopamine Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Histamine Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Hyperemesis Gravidarum (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Metoclopramide (therapeutic use)
• Morning Sickness (diet therapy, drug therapy)
• Ondansetron
• Practice Patterns, Physicians' (statistics & numerical data)
• Pregnancy
• Surveys and Questionnaires