Record Status This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database. Citation CADTH. Antiemetics for adults experiencing opioid-induced nausea: a review of clinical and cost-effectiveness, benefits and harms, and guidelines. Ottawa: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). Rapid Response. 2014 Authors' conclusions While antiemetic comparative studies were identified, evidence to support an overall clinically superior antiemetic was lacking. The evidence presented in this report supports the use of dimenhydrinate and ondansetron as antiemetics for the treatment and prevention of opioid-induced nausea, however evidence for consistent quantitative clinical effectiveness was not identified. The focus on patients with risk factors for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and the lack of quantitative agreement between studies suggests that the findings may not be directly applicable to alternative clinical settings. Broad consensus was identified regarding common adverse events of ondansetron including headache, drowsiness and dizziness. While no serious adverse events were reported, the identified trials lack the statistical power for the detection of possible rare adverse events. There were no cost-effectiveness studies identified examining the use of dimenhydrinate or ondansetron. Two guidelines were identified that include evidence-based recommendations for dimenhydrinate and ondansetron dose and timing for the treatment and prevention of PONV. Additionally, identified guidelines and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) provide evidence for antiemetic combinations with cumulative beneficial effects, including combinations with ondansetron. Indexing Status Subject indexing assigned by CRD MeSH Antiemetics; Nauseas; Opioid-Related Disorders Language Published English Country of organisation Canada English summary An English language summary is available. Address for correspondence Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), 865 Carling Avenue, Suite 600, Ottawa, Ontario Canada, K1S 5S8 Email: requests@cadth.ca AccessionNumber 32015000304 Date abstract record published 20/03/2015 |