A Comparison of Ondansetron and Promethasin in Treating Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Abstract

Background & Aims: Due to the importance of a suitable treatment for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and reducing maternal and fetal complications, and the beneficial effect of Ondansetron in the treatment of nausea and vomiting compared with promethazine, this study was performed. Methods: In this case-control study, 60 pregnant women under 20 weeks of gestation with hyperemesis gravidarum were compared. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups after excluding patients with a multiple pregnancy, non-viable pregnancy, and underlying diseases that cause nausea. One group received Ondansetron and another received promethazine. After 48 hours, responses and side effects were assessed using 2 questionnaires. Finally, response to treatment and side effects of the two drugs were compared. Results: Although the response to treatment with Ondansetron was obviously better than promethazine, this was not statistically significant. The only clear side effect of promethazine was drowsiness. Conclusion: The response to Ondansetron was good, and there are no reports, in the literature, of it having any adverse effects on the fetus. Moreover, untreated conditions may be followed by many maternal and fetal complications. Therefore, it is better to use Ondansetron in the first course of hospitalization. Although, due to the limited sample size in this study, more studies with larger sample sizes are recommended in order to obtain more accurate results.