Does Ondansetron or Granisetron Prevent Subarachnoid Morphine-Induced Pruritus After Cesarean Delivery?

Abstract

In Brief BACKGROUND: We compared the efficacy of granisetron and ondansetron for the prevention of subarachnoid morphine-induced pruritus after cesarean delivery. METHODS: The incidence of pruritus was assessed in parturients who were randomly allocated into Group G (granisetron 3 mg IV, n = 45), Group O (ondansetron 8 mg IV, n = 42), and Group S (saline IV, n = 42). RESULTS: The incidence of pruritus was not significantly different among the 3 groups (86.6% in Group S, 83.3% in Group O, and 88% in the Group G). CONCLUSION: Neither prophylactic ondansetron nor granisetron reduced the incidence of subarachnoid morphine-induced pruritus when compared with the saline group. IMPLICATIONS: Pruritus is the most common side effect of subarachnoid morphine. We evaluated the prophylactic administration of ondansetron and granisetron to patients receiving subarachnoid morphine for pain relief after cesarean delivery, and found neither drug was effective in reducing the incidence or severity of pruritus.