Comparison of Antiemetic Use Ondansetron and Metoclopramide, Evaluation of Effectiveness and Adverse Effects

Ondansetron and metoclopramide are the most often used antiemetics in clinics. According to the Indonesian National Formulary, ondansetron is exclusively approved for the prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and radiation. Furthermore, Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) are a side effect of metoclopramide that both patients and professionals less preferred. This research aimed to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of ondansetron with metoclopramide in adult internal medicine patients. This is a prospective cohort observational research with inclusion criteria of internal medicine patients aged ≥ 18 years who received ondansetron or metoclopramide as antiemetics. A difference test was carried out between the 2 groups on the variable effectiveness and side effects. From a total of 194 patients, 107 received IV ondansetron and 87 received IV metoclopramide. The result showed a significant reduction in nausea before and 30 minutes after drug administration in both groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in effectiveness of anti-nausea and anti-vomiting in the two groups (p > 0.05). However, a significant difference was also found in headache side effects after 30 minutes between the 2 groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, ondansetron and metoclopramide are effective in treating nausea and vomiting in adult internal medicine patients.