Granisetron reduces post-operative vomiting in children: a dose-ranging study.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the minimum effective dose of granisetron, 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonist, for the prevention of post-operative vomiting in children undergoing general inhalational anaesthesia for surgery (inguinal hernia and phimosis). In a randomized, double-blind manner, 120 children, ASA physical status I, aged 4-10 years, were assigned to receive placebo (saline) or granisetron at three different doses (20 micrograms kg-1, 40 micrograms kg-1, 100 micrograms kg-1) intravenously immediately after inhalation induction of anaesthesia (n = 30 of each). A complete response, defined as no emesis and no need for another rescue antiemetic during the first 24 h after anaesthesia, occurred in 57% with placebo, 67% with granisetron 20 micrograms kg-1, 90% with granisetron 40 micrograms kg-1 and 90% with granisetron 100 micrograms kg-1 respectively (P < 0.05; overall Fisher's exact probability test). No clinically important adverse events were observed in any of the groups. Our results suggest that granisetron 40 micrograms kg-1 is the minimum effective dose for the prevention of emesis after paediatric surgery, and that increasing its dose to 100 micrograms kg-1 provides no demonstrable benefit.

• Authors: Y Fujii, H Tanaka
• Journal: European journal of anaesthesiology (Eur J Anaesthesiol) Vol. 16 Issue 1 Pg. 62-5 (Jan 1999) ISSN: 0265-0215 [Print] England
• PMID: 10084103 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Retracted Publication)

Chemical References

• Antiemetics
• Serotonin Antagonists
• Granisetron

Topics

• Anesthesia, Inhalation
• Antiemetics (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Granisetron (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Hernia, Inguinal (surgery)
• Humans
• Male
• Phimosis (surgery)
• Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (prevention & control)
• Serotonin Antagonists (administration & dosage)