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Efficacy of amisulpride on postoperative nausea and vomiting: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Aim and background

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) remains a significant clinical problem for surgical patients. Amisulpride is a well-studied D2/D3 antagonist that has the potential to be used for preventing and treating PONV. Our aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of amisulpride for prevention and treatment of PONV through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Method

A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PUBMED, clinicaltrials.gov, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from their inception to Feb 15th, 2019. The efficacy outcome was the incidence of complete response, defined as no emesis and no rescue antiemetic use in a 24-h period after study drug administration. The safety outcomes were the adverse effects associated with amisulpride.

Results

Five studies comprising 3243 patients met inclusion critieria. Compared with placebo, amisulpride showed a significantly improved incidence of complete response [relative risk (RR): 1.30; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20–1.41; P < 0.00001, I2 = 0%] with firm evidence from the trial sequential analysis. Particularly, the amisulpride at 5 mg dose indicated a significant benefit than placebo [relative risk (RR): 1.28; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18–1.39; P < 0.00001, I2 = 4%]. The adverse event profile of amisulpride was generally similar to the placebo.

Conclusion

Based on our findings, low-dose, intravenous amisulpride is safe and efficacious for the prevention and treatment of PONV compared to placebo. Further studies are needed to explore the optimal dose and timing.

Clinical trial registration

PROSPERO: CRD42019121483.

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Author notes

  1. Lu-Feng Zhang and Chao-Fan Zhang contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No.1, Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, Erqi District, China

    Lu-Feng Zhang, Chao-Fan Zhang, Long He, Yang Liu, Dan-Dan Tian & Yan-Qiu Ai

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China

    Wen-Xin Tang

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Contributions

Name: Lu-Feng Zhang, M.Med.

Contribution: This author helped conduct the study, analyze the data, and write the manuscript.

Name: Chao-Fan Zhang, M.Med.

Contribution: This author helped conduct the study, analyze the data, and write the manuscript.

Name: Wen-Xin Tang, MD.

Contribution: This author helped analyze the data.

Name: Long He, MD.

Contribution: This author helped analyze the data and write the manuscript.

Name: Yang Liu, M.Med.

Contribution: This author helped analyze the data.

Name: Dan-dan Tian, MD.

Contribution: This author helped design the study and conduct the study.

Name: Yan-Qiu Ai, MD.

Contribution: This author helped design the study, conduct the study, and write the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yan-Qiu Ai.

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Zhang, LF., Zhang, CF., Tang, WX. et al. Efficacy of amisulpride on postoperative nausea and vomiting: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 76, 903–912 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-020-02869-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-020-02869-1

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