Comparison of efficacy between 20 MG propofol and 3 MG nalbuphine in treatment of intrathecal morphine induced pruritus in caesarean-section patients

Abstract

Objective : To compare the efficacy of 20 mg propofol and 3 mg nalbuphine in treatment of intrathecal morphine induced pruritus in caesarean-section patients. Design : Randomized double-bline controlled trial. Setting : Chulalongkorn University Hospital which is the tertiary care center. Methods : One hundred eighty one parturients who developed moderate to severe pruritus caused by intrathecal morphine were randomly allocate into 2 groups with simple randomization. One group received 20 mg propofol while the other one received 3 mg nalbuphine. The improvement of pruritus and other adverse effects were determined at 10 minute after study drug administration. Results : The treatment success rate was higher in nalbuphine group than in propofol group (83.5% VS 61.1%, p = 0.0008). Among the successfully treated patients, the recurrence rates of moderate to severe pruritus within 4 hours were not significantly different (nalbuphine 9.2% VS propofol 7.3%, p= 0.7603). Other side effects such as decreased analgesia, decreased nausea, vomiting, increased sedation, pain on injection, dizziness were not significantly different. Conclusion : Three milligrams of nalbuphine is more efficacious than 20 mg propofol in treatment of intrathecal morphine induced pruritus in caesarean-section patients with few and minor side effects.