Preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting: post hoc analysis of pooled data from two randomized active-controlled trials of aprepitant

ABSTRACTObjective: Compared with the 5HT3 antagonist ondansetron, the NK1 antagonist aprepitant has been shown in two double-blind trials to provide greater protection against postoperative vomiting and comparable or greater control of nausea. Post hoc analyses of pooled data from these trials were performed to more fully characterize the efficacy profile of aprepitant in terms of nausea and use of rescue therapy.Research design and methods: Patients (n = 1599) scheduled for major surgery under general anesthesia (primarily gynecological surgery) were assigned to receive a preoperative dose of aprepitant 40 mg PO, 125 mg PO, or ondansetron 4 mg IV. in two randomized, double-blind, clinical trials.Main outcome measures: Post-surgery vomiting episodes, use of rescue therapy, and nausea severity (verbal rating scale).Results: In the 24 hours after surgery, aprepitant 40 mg was more effective than ondansetron for all five endpoints evaluated: (1) no significant nausea (56.4% vs. 48.1%); (2) no nausea (39.6% v...