A comparison between cetirizine and ondansetron in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults

Postoperative nausea and vomiting are some of the important and common side effects of anesthesia after surgery occurring in almost 20-30% of patients and is the second factor of a patient’s complaint and inconvenience after pain. This study compares the effect of oral cetirizine and ondansetron in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults. In a blind and prospective study in fall 2010, 300 patients aged 18-65 years who were among ASA І-П in Chamran Orthopedic Hospital were randomly divided into three equal groups receiving cetirizine, ondansetron, and placebo, respectively. General anesthesia was identical. After operation (after 1-2 h in the recovery room, after 2-12 and 12-24 h in the ward), the presence or absence and any nausea or vomiting was recorded. The postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) rate after 1-2 h in the recovery room, after 2-12 and 12-24 h in the ward in placebo, and both groups of cetirizine and ondansetron were 50%, 21%, and 11%, respectively while the difference was significant (P value < 0.05). Regarding the number of vomiting, the least was related to ondansetron (especially in the first 2-12 h) but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The PONV rate in cetirizine and ondansetron groups was less than the placebo group.