Metoclopramide as prophylaxis for nausea and vomiting induced by fluorescein

R. E. Brown Jr, R. Sabates and S. J. Drew

Fluorescein angiography carries with it a variable incidence of nausea and vomiting. We investigated a method of prophylaxis against this side effect. One hundred patients undergoing fluorescein angiography were pretreated in a double-masked, randomized fashion with either 20 mg of intravenous metoclopramide hydrochloride or an equal volume of normal saline solution. The metoclopramide-treated group demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the incidence of nausea and vomiting. Eleven (22%) of the control group and three (6%) of the metoclopramide-treated group had this complication. Metoclopramide is an effective drug when used prophylactically in selected patients undergoing fluorescein angiography.