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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
05:56

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Published on: June 21, 2024

Ondansetron does not reduce the shivering threshold in healthy volunteers

R Komatsu1, M Orhan-Sungur, J In

  • 1Outcomes Research Institute, University of Louisville, KY, USA.

British Journal of Anaesthesia
|May 6, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Ondansetron, used to prevent shivering, does not alter core body temperature thresholds for sweating, vasoconstriction, or shivering in humans. This suggests ondansetron has limited utility in facilitating therapeutic hypothermia induction.

Area of Science:

  • Thermoregulation
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Ondansetron, a serotonin-3 receptor antagonist, is known to reduce postoperative shivering.
  • Drugs that reduce shivering can impair thermoregulatory control, potentially aiding therapeutic hypothermia induction.
  • This study investigated ondansetron's effect on human thermoregulatory response thresholds.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if ondansetron alters the core body temperature thresholds for major autonomic thermoregulatory responses in humans.
  • To assess ondansetron's potential for facilitating therapeutic hypothermia.

Main Methods:

  • Healthy volunteers received either ondansetron or placebo infusions.
  • Skin and core temperatures were manipulated to elicit sweating, vasoconstriction, and shivering responses.
  • Thermoregulatory thresholds were determined after adjusting for mean skin temperature changes.

Main Results:

  • Ondansetron did not significantly alter the core temperature thresholds for sweating, vasoconstriction, or shivering.
  • Observed thresholds were similar between ondansetron and placebo groups (P > 0.05 for all).
  • No sedation was reported with ondansetron administration.

Conclusions:

  • Ondansetron does not appear to affect the major autonomic thermoregulatory response thresholds in humans.
  • The drug has minimal potential for facilitating the induction of therapeutic hypothermia.
  • Further research may explore other applications of ondansetron in thermoregulation.

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