Antiemetic effectiveness of intramuscular hydroxyzine compared with intramuscular droperidol

In a double-blind randomized study 150 outpatients receivng the same anesthetic for first trimester therapeutic abortions were equally divided into three groups: control; droperidol, 2.5 mg IM; or hydroxyzine, 100 mg IM. The injection was given immediately after thiamylal (Surital) induction of anesthesia, and the incidence of nausea, retching, or vomiting (NRV) was recorded at 15-minute intervals for 3 hours after surgery. NRV occurred in 56% of control patients, in 44% of patients given droperidol, and in 10% of patients given hydroxyzine. The patients receiving hydroxyzine and droperidol were more sedated and experienced a delay in return of hand-eye coordination as measured by the time for the Trieger motor test to reach preoperative levels. All patients equaled their preoperative performance during the 3rd hour after surgery and were discharged 4 hours following general anesthesia. We conclude that intramuscular hydroxyzine hydrochloride, 100 mg, is a significantly better antiemetic than intramuscular droperidol, 2.5 mg.