Comparison of Intravenous Ramosetron and Ondansetron as Prophylaxis for Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting following General Anesthesia

Objective: To compare the efficacy and side effects of 5HT3 antagonists, ramosetron, and ondansetron as prophylaxis for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) following general anesthesia.

Materials and Methods: One hundred and ten patients of the American Society of Anesthesiology Grade I–II, between the age group of 18 to 60 years weighing 40 to 70 kg, undergoing general anesthesia were studied. Group 1 received ramosetron 0.3 mg intravenous (IV) and Group 2 received ondansetron 8 mg IV 15 min before the end of surgery. The incidence of PONV, need for rescue antiemetic, and side effects were evaluated in both the groups. QTc interval prolongation was also evaluated in both the groups by taking electrocardiograms at regular intervals.

Results: This study showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of PONV between the ondansetron group and the ramosetron group during the first 24 h after surgery. For PONV score of ≥2 during the first 6 h, the incidence was 3.59% and 1.81% for ramosetron and ondansetron, respectively, and during 6–24 h, the incidence was 1.81% for both the drugs.

Conclusion: IV ramosetron 0.3 mg is as effective as IV ondansetron 8 mg in preventing PONV in patients undergoing general anesthesia.