Title:Impact of Ondansetron on Withdrawal Signs, Fentanyl Requirement and Pain Relief in Opioid-addicted Patients under General Anesthesia
Volume: 14
Issue: 3
Author(s): Farzaneh Mahikhan, Morteza Hashemian, Tania Dehesh, Elham Jafari, Mandana Jafari and Hamid-Reza Rahimi*
Affiliation:
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman,Iran
Keywords:
Serotonin receptors, anesthesiology, antiemetic drugs, abuse, pain, dislocations.
Abstract: Background: Serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists such as ondansetron have been investigated
to attenuate opioid withdrawal signs in studies.
Objective: Therefore, we designed a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial to evaluate
this effect on opioid-addicted patients who were admitted to the orthopedic department for surgery
due to bone fractures.
Methods: Male adults who were addicted to opioids, aged 18 to 79 years were enrolled (n=96) and
randomized into intravenous doses (4 & 8 mg) of ondansetron (n=32) and placebo (n=32). The vital
signs, withdrawal symptoms and the frequency requirement of fentanyl were recorded during anesthesia,
and opioid (pethidine) analgesic was received during the recovery period. Outcome parameters
were analyzed for reduction of withdrawal symptoms in addicted adults.
Results: We indicated that ondansetron demonstrated significant differences with few vital outcomes
including systolic blood pressure (SBP) 20 (SBP3) and 50 min (SBP4) after injection of
ondansetron during the period of surgery. Ondansetron could also significantly reduce the frequency
requirement of fentanyl at 20 min (dose 3) in general anesthesia. Furthermore, requirement
for further administration of opioid analgesic drugs such as pethidine was significantly reduced in
the ondansetron groups. Objective opioid withdrawal scale (OOWS) results indicated that few clinical
parameters including tremor, hot and cold flushes and anxiety were significantly attenuated in
addicted patients who received ondansetron.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated supporting evidence for the beneficial treatment of ondansetron
for the control of withdrawal symptoms and pain in addicted patients, and more clinical studies
are suggested in this regard.
