Granisetron-dexamethasone combination reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting.

The prophylactic antiemetic efficacy of combined granisetron and dexamethasone was evaluated in a randomized double-blind manner in 88 patients undergoing general anaesthesia for major gynaecological surgery. Immediately after recovery from anaesthesia, patients received a single dose of either placebo (saline, n = 22), granisetron (20 micrograms.kg-1, n = 22), dexamethasone (8 mg, n = 22) or combined granisetron and dexamethasone (20 micrograms.kg-1 and 8 mg, respectively, n = 22) iv. The treatment groups were similar for patient demography, surgical procedures, anaesthetics administered and opioids given. Postoperatively, the frequency of nausea was 32%, 23%, 27% and 5% after administration of placebo, granisetron, dexamethasone and granisetron plus dexamethasone, respectively; the corresponding frequencies of vomiting were 23%, 23%, 23% and 5%. The incidence of adverse events postoperatively were not different among the groups. It is concluded that prophylactic administration of combined granisetron and dexamethasone is effective in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting after anaesthesia.