Antiemetic Effectiveness of Intramuscular Hydroxyzine Compared with Intramuscular Droperidol

Prevention of nausea and vomiting during termination of pregnancy

“…Butyrophenones, benzamides, and antihistamines are considered to be traditional antiemetics [2,[8][9][10] (Table 1). The antiemetic activity of butyrophenones is a result of their antagonistic properties at the dopamine receptor [25].…”

“…In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing the efficacy of an intramuscular injection of 100 mg of hydroxyzine, 2.5 mg of droperidol, or placebo immediately after induction of anesthesia in women undergoing dilatation and curettage, Mckenzie et al [2] concluded that hydroxyzine prevented PONV more efficiently than droperidol. On the other hand, Sandhya et al [10] reported that promethazine, another antihistamine, administered intravenously at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg immediately before induction of anesthesia was not effective for the same indication.…”

“…Usually performed on an outpatient basis, it only requires intense analgesia and permits rapid recovery [1]. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is high, however, around 50% to 60%, for persons undergoing general anesthesia [2,3]. Adverse effects of general anesthesia are associated not only with longer periods in the recovery room and decreased patient satisfaction, but also with life-threatening complications such as postoperative vaginal bleeding and dehiscence following abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy, increased intracranial pressure, pulmonary aspiration, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance [4][5][6].…”

“…They belong to the butyrophenone, benzamide, antihistamine, anticholinergic, glucocorticoid, or serotonin receptor antagonist classes [2,3,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. After reviewing the risk factors for PONV, we reviewed and assessed the efficacy of the drugs used in women undergoing dilatation and curettage under general anesthesia for elective or therapeutic termination of pregnancy.…”

Prevention and Treatment of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

“…Hydroxyzine has antisialogogue and sedation side effects, which make it a good premedication when combined with opioids to supplement their analgesic effect [102].…”