
Comparative Study of Intravenous Granisetron against Ondansetron in Preventing Postoperative Nausea Vomiting in Patients undergoing General Anaesthesia: A Double-blinded Randomised Controlled Study
Correspondence Address :
Sunil Mhatarba Vishwasrao,
Chinakolambakkam, Madhurantagam-603308, Tamil Nadu, India.
E-mail: sunilpharmac2@gmail.com
Introduction: Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) remain a significant issues following general anaesthesia, affecting patients’ comfort and recovery. The choice of antiemetic agents is paramount in minimising these symptoms.
Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous (i.v.) Granisetron and Ondansetron in preventing PONV in patients undergoing general anaesthesia in a tertiary care hospital in Tamil Nadu, India.
Materials and Methods: A double-blind, randomised controlled trial was conducted at Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Madhurantagam, Tamil Nadu, India, from December 2021 to March 2023 involving 66 patients aged 18-65 years, scheduled for elective surgeries under general anaesthesia. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 2 mg of intravenous Granisetron (Group A) or 4 mg of intravenous Ondansetron (Group B) prior to induction. The primary outcome was the incidence of PONV within 24 hours of surgery. Secondary outcomes included the need for rescue medication and the occurrence of adverse effects. Data were analysed using Chi-square and independent t-tests, with a p-value<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The majority of participants were between 29 and 48 years of age in both groups. The mean age of the patients in Group A and Group B was 34.61±10.88 and 43.64±13.26 years, respectively. The Complete Response (CR) (no emesis and no requirement for rescue antiemetics) was significantly higher in the Granisetron group, with 28 (85%) compared to the Ondansetron group, which had 19 (58%) (p<0.05). The incidence of nausea and vomiting was lower in Group A throughout all postoperative time intervals. Adverse effects such as headache and dizziness were comparable between the groups and were mild in nature. No serious adverse events were reported in either group.
Conclusion: Intravenous Granisetron demonstrated better efficacy in preventing PONV than Ondansetron, with a higher CR rate and reduced need for rescue medication. Both drugs were well-tolerated, with a similar safety profile. These findings suggest that Granisetron could be a more appropriate option for PONV prophylaxis in patients undergoing general anaesthesia. Further multicentre studies are recommended to validate these results across a diverse patient population.
Adverse effects, Complete response, Prophylaxis, Rescue medication
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2025/78582.21094
Date of Submission: Feb 11, 2025
Date of Peer Review: Mar 12, 2025
Date of Acceptance: Apr 26, 2025
Date of Publishing: Jun 01, 2025
AUTHOR DECLARATION:
• Financial or Other Competing Interests: None
• Was Ethics Committee Approval obtained for this study? Yes
• Was informed consent obtained from the subjects involved in the study? Yes
• For any images presented appropriate consent has been obtained from the subjects. NA
PLAGIARISM CHECKING METHODS:
• Plagiarism X-checker: Feb 12, 2025
• Manual Googling: Apr 22, 2025
• iThenticate Software: Apr 24, 2025 (14%)
ETYMOLOGY: Author Origin
EMENDATIONS: 8
- Emerging Sources Citation Index (Web of Science, thomsonreuters)
- Index Copernicus ICV 2017: 134.54
- Academic Search Complete Database
- Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
- Embase
- EBSCOhost
- Google Scholar
- HINARI Access to Research in Health Programme
- Indian Science Abstracts (ISA)
- Journal seek Database
- Popline (reproductive health literature)
- www.omnimedicalsearch.com