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Home › Conditions › Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

5 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

44 trials tracked for Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: 18 in phase 3 or 4 and 8 with published results. The most-cited published study has 970 citations.

44Trials tracked
18Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
8With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 13 Phase 3 5 Phase 2 8 Phase 1 2 Other / NA 16
  1. Phase 4 Effectiveness of Triple Therapy With Palonosetron for PON Prophylaxis Completed · 970 cited
  2. Phase 4 Effect of Intraoperative Anesthetic Management on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Bariatric Surgery Completed · 340 cited
  3. Phase 4 Dexamethasone for Post-cesarean Delivery Pain Completed · 37 cited
  4. Phase 3 Study of APD421 as PONV Treatment (no Prior Prophylaxis) Completed · 32 cited
  5. Phase 4 Spinal Versus General Anesthesia With Popliteal and Adductor Canal Blocks for Ambulatory Foot and Ankle Surgery. Completed · 20 cited
  6. Phase 3 A Comparison of Targinact vs. Oxycodone on Gut Function After Colorectal Surgery Completed · 19 cited
Show 38 more trials
  1. Phase 4 A Comparison of Tumescence in Breast Reduction Surgery Completed · 17 cited
  2. Phase 4 Dexamethasone for the Prevention of Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Sections Completed · 13 cited
  3. Phase 4 Low Doses of Ketamine and Postoperative Quality of Recovery Completed
  4. Phase 4 High vs Low Dose Dexamethasone on Complications in the Immediate Postoperative Phase After Mastectomy Completed
  5. Phase 4 Quality of Recovery After Dexamethasone, Ondansetron or Placebo Intrathecal Morphine Administration Completed
  6. Phase 4 Dexamethasone vs Ondansetron After Cesarean Delivery Completed
  7. Phase 4 Antiemetic Prophylaxis for Postdischarge Nausea and Vomiting After Hip Arthroscopy Completed
  8. Phase 4 Aprepitant With Dexamethasone Versus Ondansetron With Dexamethasone for PONV Prophylaxis in Patients Having Craniotomy Completed
  9. Phase 4 Aprepitant for PONV Prophylaxis in Outpatient Plastic Surgery Completed
  10. Phase 3 Study of APD421 as PONV Treatment (Prior Prophylaxis) Completed
  11. Phase 3 Safety and Efficacy of Palonosetron IV to Prevent Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Pediatric Patients Completed
  12. Phase 3 Safety and Efficacy of Palonosetron IV to Prevent Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Pediatric Patients Completed
  13. Phase 2 Dexamethasone Administration To Improve Patient Recovery In Ambulatory Vaginal Prolapse Surgery: Is There A Role? Completed
  14. Phase 2 Granisetron Transdermal Patch for Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Completed
  15. Phase 2 Effect of Steroids on Post-tonsillectomy Morbidities Completed
  16. Phase 2 Crossover Study Comparing Ondansetron Orally Dissolving Film Strip (ODFS) With Zofran Orally Disintegrating Tablets Completed
  17. Phase 2 Pilot Study to Assess Palonosetron Versus Ondansetron as Rescue Medication in Subjects That Develop Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) in the Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Completed
  18. Phase 2 Dose-ranging Study of APD405 in Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Completed
  19. Phase 2 Phase II Dose-ranging Study of APD421 in PONV Completed
  20. Phase 2 Olanzapine for Nausea After Surgery Completed
  21. Phase 1 A Study to Investigate the Safety and Tolerability of MK-0517 in Healthy Subjects (MK-0517-012) Completed
  22. Phase 1 A Study of Aprepitant (MK-0869) in Pediatric Participants Undergoing Surgery (MK-0869-148) Completed
  23. N/A Guanfacine for PONV and Pain After Sinus Surgery Completed
  24. N/A Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) in Surgical Patients Completed
  25. N/A The Effect of Electroacustimulation on Postoperative Nausea, Vomiting and Pain in Outpatient Plastic Surgery Patients Completed
  26. N/A Effect of Pulmonary Recruitment Maneuver (PRM) on Pain and Nausea After Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery Completed
  27. N/A Study of the Effect of the Drug Gabapentin on Postoperative Pain and Incidence of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Completed
  28. N/A Use of Baxter Animated Retching Faces (BARF) Scale to Measure Nausea in Children Who Speak Spanish Completed
  29. N/A Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: Ramosetron Plus Aprepitant vs Palonosetron Plus Aprepitant Completed
  30. N/A Differences in Incidence of Common Side Effects Between Young Adults and Elderly Patients While Using IV-PCA Completed
  31. N/A Efficacy Safety Score in Postoperative Management Completed
  32. N/A Efficacy Side-effect Score (ESS): Development and Evaluation of a New Tool for Patients After Surgery Completed
  33. N/A Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation of P6 to Prevent Postoperation Nausea and Vomiting Completed
  34. N/A Acupuncture and Nausea/Vomiting in Pediatric Patients Completed
  35. N/A Real-time Decision Support for Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Prophylaxis Completed
  36. N/A Dexmedetomidine or Dexmedetomidine Combined With Dexamethasone on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Breast Cancer Completed
  37. N/A Clinical Use of Baxter Animated Retching Faces (BARF) Scale in Children Completed
  38. N/A Comparison of Two Naloxone Infusion Rates on the Postoperative Recovery of Patients Undergoing Spine Fusion Surgery Completed

Showing the 44 most-cited and recently-updated of 44 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

What the trials found Updated — new results For clinicians

Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: what the trials found

Several established trials demonstrate the efficacy of various antiemetic agents for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). [NEW] Ondansetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, has been evaluated in multiple studies, showing variable results: one trial reported a complete response rate of 31.3% versus 26.0% (p=0.5672) 19, while another found a significant reduction in postoperative emesis and nausea when combined with aprepitant (7 vs. 22 patients, p<0.05) 12. Palonosetron, another 5-HT3 antagonist, showed high proportions of patients with no emetic episodes (88.0% vs. 84.0%) 17 and without nausea (83.2% vs. 82.0%) 18. Dexamethasone has been studied in multiple trials, but outcomes such as morphine consumption at 24 hours (15 vs. 13.75, p=0.740) 4 and discharge scores (p=1) 9 did not show significant differences. Aprepitant plus dexamethasone reduced the incidence of vomiting at 24 hours (7 vs. 19) 13. APD421, a novel antiemetic, demonstrated significant complete response rates in the initial treatment of PONV (60% vs. 59% vs. 39%, p=0.016) 14 and at 0-2 hours (p=0.009) 14, as well as in another trial (p=0.003) 16. TIVA (total intravenous anesthesia) without narcotics significantly reduced PONV during the first 24 hours after bariatric surgery (22 vs. 12, p=0.04) 3.

Other interventions have shown mixed or non-significant results. Midazolam combined with glycopyrrolate, ketamine, and propofol reported low pain scores but no direct PONV outcome 5. Tumescent solution with lidocaine and epinephrine did not significantly affect postoperative pain or narcotic use (p=0.24 and p=0.10) 6. Ketamine 0.4 mg/kg showed no significant difference in quality of recovery (QoR-40 scores: 187.8, 189.6, 186.8) 10. Targinact did not significantly reduce postoperative gut dysfunction (13 vs. 15, p=0.264) or opioid consumption (p=0.222) 15. Overall, established evidence supports the use of 5-HT3 antagonists, aprepitant combinations, and APD421 for PONV prophylaxis and treatment, while dexamethasone and other agents show limited benefit in these specific trials.

Recent results — preliminary, needs further review

  • Olanzapine, a second-generation antipsychotic, showed a significant reduction in the number of participants with nausea and/or vomiting (10 vs. 26, p=0.003) in a Phase 2 trial 21, but this finding is tagged [UNCONFIRMED] and requires further corroboration.
  • Ondansetron oral disintegrating film (ODFS) was investigated in a Phase 2 trial 20 but results are not yet established.

For the clinician treating this condition

  • 5-HT3 antagonists like ondansetron and palonosetron are effective for PONV, though ondansetron's efficacy may vary; combination with aprepitant enhances outcomes.
  • APD421 demonstrates significant benefit as initial PONV treatment, with improved complete response rates in the early postoperative period.
  • Dexamethasone alone did not show significant improvements in pain or recovery metrics in these trials; its role may be limited to combination therapy.

AI synthesis of 16 cited trials, updated Jun 28, 2026. Informational only — not medical advice; trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
Feedback-regulated background infusion reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting in laparoscopic myomectomy patients
Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine RCT
Feedback-regulated background infusion reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting in laparoscopic myomectomy patients Smart pump cuts nausea after surgery without hurting pain control
This randomized controlled trial enrolled 132 patients undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy.
A new smart pain pump adjusts medicine automatically to cut nausea after surgery while keeping pain relief strong for patients who need it m…
Apr 29, 2026
Systematic review and meta-analysis on oliceridine versus morphine for postoperative nausea and vomiting
Drug Pipeline Meta-analysis
Systematic review and meta-analysis on oliceridine versus morphine for postoperative nausea and vomiting Oliceridine at low doses reduces nausea and vomiting after surgery compared with morphine
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 1,767 patients found that oliceridine significantly reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting co…
A meta-analysis shows oliceridine lowers nausea and vomiting after anesthesia compared to morphine, with fewer side effects at specific dose…
Frontiers Apr 24, 2026
Meta-analysis finds TEAS reduces PONV after laparoscopic surgery
Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis finds TEAS reduces PONV after laparoscopic surgery A Simple Patch May Stop Nausea After Surgery
This meta-analysis of 6271 patients found that transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) reduced the incidence of postoperative …
This research shows a non-drug option could make recovery from keyhole surgery much more comfortable.
Apr 23, 2026
TEAS at PC6 during hepatectomy does not reduce PONV incidence within 24 hours
Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine RCT
TEAS at PC6 during hepatectomy does not reduce PONV incidence within 24 hours Surgery Nausea: Why a Common Pain Relief Method May Not Help After All
In this randomized controlled trial of 161 patients undergoing elective hepatectomy, intraoperative transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimu…
A popular non-drug technique used during major liver surgery did not reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients already receiving …
Apr 20, 2026
FDA Approves Ondansetron Injection, USP (ondansetron hydrochloride) for Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced and Postoperative Nausea/Vomiting
Oncology FDA Approval
FDA Approves Ondansetron Injection, USP (ondansetron hydrochloride) for Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced and Postoperative Nausea/Vomiting FDA approves a new preservative-free injection to prevent nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy and surgery
FDA approved ondansetron injection for prevention of nausea/vomiting associated with emetogenic cancer chemotherapy and postoperative nausea…
FDA approves a new preservative-free injection to prevent nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy and surgery.
FDA Apr 10, 2026

Questions about Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

Does TEAS at PC6 reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting within 24 hours after hepatectomy?

No, TEAS at PC6 during hepatectomy did not significantly reduce PONV within 24 hours in a 2024 multicenter trial, though it may reduce painkiller use.

Full answer →
Can transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation reduce the risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting?

Yes, transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) can reduce the risk of PONV after laparoscopic surgery, but evidence is mixed for other surgeries.

Full answer →