Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

The Treadmill Fatigue Test: A Simple, High-throughput Assay of Fatigue-like Behavior for the Mouse
Published on: May 31, 2016
Pruritus and fatigue associated with liver disease: is there a role for ondansetron?
1Academic Medical Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. evan.a.jones@btinternet.com
Background:
Complications of liver disease include pruritus and fatigue. Increased central opioidergic tone, which is modulated by serotoninergic pathways, contributes to the former; increased central serotoninergic tone may contribute to the latter.
Objective:
To examine non-clinical and clinical data relevant to the hypothesis that ondansetron, a 5-HT(3) receptor subtype antagonist, ameliorates pruritus and fatigue in liver disease.
Methods:
Non-clinical findings supporting the hypothesis are discussed and all trials of ondansetron for pruritus or fatigue in liver disease are reviewed.
Conclusion:
That ondansetron ameliorates pruritus in liver disease is strongly supported by subjective observations, but is not confirmed by objective findings in two controlled trials. Anecdotal observations also suggest that ondansetron ameliorates fatigue in liver disease, but in only one of two randomized controlled trials, that used subjective end points, is a similar conclusion possible.
Related Concept Videos
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...