Outcomes of dimenhydrinate for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy

Outcomes of dimenhydrinate for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
ผลของยา Dimenhydrinate ในการรักษาอาการคลื่นไส้และอาเจียนจากการแพ้ท้องในสตรี ตั้งครรภ์

Krantarat Peeyananjaratsri, D. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, F. of Medicine, PSU.
Roengsak Leetanaporn, Asst. Prof., D. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, F. of Medicine, PSU.
Thitima Suntharasaj, Asst. Prof., D. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, F. of Medicine, PSU.

Published : Songkla Med J 2000, 18(3) : 161-166
Key words : dimenhydrinate, nausea, vomiting

Objectives : To evaluate outcomes of dimenhydrinate for treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

Design : Descriptive study.

Materials and Methods : Eighty pregnant women < 11 weeks of gestation who attended at the antenatal clinic, Songklanagarind Hospital, from September 1, 1997 to March 31, 1998, and had emesis were enrolled. Dimenhydrinate was given 3 tablets per day for 5 days, total 20 tablets. Patients graded the severity of their nausea by a visual analog scale and recorded the number of vomiting episodes over the previous 24 hours before the treatment and again during 5 consecutive days of treatment.

Results : The percentages of the subjects whose nausea was well-improved on the 1st to 5th day were 62.5%, 68.8%, 81.3%, 90.0%, and 90.0% respectively. Vomiting was well-improved on the 1st to 5th day in 66.2%, 72.9%, 77.0%, 83.8% and 87.8% respectively. Compared between the patients whose symptoms were slightly improved and not improved, there were significant differences. The side effects of dimenhydrinate were marked drowsiness (11.3%) and slightly drowsiness (31.3%).

Conclusion : Dimenhydrinate is effective in relieving the severity of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy and causes slightly side effects.

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