A Blinded Study Using Celecoxib for Prevention of Morphine Induced Pruritus in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section

we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of celecoxib in reducing Intrathecal morphine-induced pruritus in parturient undergoing cesarean section delivery under spinal anesthesia. In a randomized double-blind placebo controlled study 126 women undergoing elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia (0.5% bupivacaine 12mg plus 0.2 mg preservativefree morphine)were randomly allocated to receive celecoxib 400 mg or placebo, 2 hours prior to surgery. Severity of pruritus and pain score and frequency of opioid''s side effects were recorded. patients receiving celecoxib had significantly lower pruritus incidence and severity at 30 min,2,4 and 8 hours (40% versus 82%), but not at 12 and 24 hours postoperatively. Also there was a reduction in pain score but it was not significant (1.5±0.5 versus 1.9±0.65).Analgesic requirement was similar between two groups. Oral administration of celecoxib significantly reduced Intrathecal morphine-induced pruritus in parturient undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. There was no significant difference in pain scores and analgesic requirement.