Dimenhydrinate pretreatment in patients receiving intra-arterial ioxaglate: effect on nausea and vomiting.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of the antihistamine dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) as a prophylactic agent against the nausea and vomiting that occasionally accompany the use of ioxaglate.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Three hundred patients (165 men and 135 women, ranging in age from 18 to 89 [mean 62] years) undergoing noncoronary arteriography received dimenhydrinate or placebo before the injection of the low-osmolality contrast material ioxaglate (Hexabrix). The patients were observed and questioned about nausea and vomiting, as well as many other possible reactions to the contrast material.

RESULTS

There were no statistical differences in the occurrence of adverse reactions between the groups receiving dimenhydrinate and placebo (chi 2 or Fisher's exact test, p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Dimenhydrinate, as administered in this study, was ineffective as a prophylactic agent against adverse reactions accompanying administration of ioxaglate.