#213 Smell This: Isopropyl alcohol for nausea/vomiting in the emergency department
CLINICAL QUESTION
Can inhaled isopropyl alcohol be used to treat nausea/vomiting in the emergency department?
BOTTOM LINE
Two trials with ~200 non-pregnant adults presenting to emergency found inhaled (smelling) isopropyl alcohol improved mild-moderate nausea/vomiting. For example, after 30 minutes nausea improved from 50 out of 100 down to 20 with inhaled isopropyl alcohol versus 40 with oral ondansetron. Only one study reported adverse events and found none.
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EVIDENCE
Two blinded, emergency department, Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs).
- 122 non-pregnant adults with mild-moderate nausea/vomiting (majority infectious gastroenteritis), randomized (with matching placebos) to inhaled isopropyl alcohol, ondansetron, or both.1
- At 30 minutes, statistically significant reduction in nausea score: From a baseline of ~50 on a 100-point scale, nausea decreased to 40 with ondansetron versus 20 with inhaled isopropyl alcohol.
- Other outcomes:
- Patient satisfaction scores on 100-point scale (lower score=more satisfied): ~20 for inhaled isopropyl alcohol versus 44 for ondansetron.
- Trend to fewer rescue antiemetics with inhaled isopropyl alcohol (~26% versus 45%). If real, Number Needed to Treat (NNT)=6.
- No difference: ED length of stay, vomiting rates.
- There were no adverse effects.
- Limitations: Possible selection bias, single centre military hospital, up to 60% of patients on inhaled isopropyl alcohol able to identify their treatment group.
- 84 patients randomized to inhaled isopropyl alcohol or saline-soaked pads (placebo). Baseline nausea score=6/10. At 10 minutes:2
- Lower median nausea score: 6 (placebo) versus 3, statistically different.
- Improved patient satisfaction (out of 5, higher more satisfied): 2 (placebo) versus 4.
- No difference in number receiving antiemetic or serious adverse effects.
- Patients inhaled deeply as frequently as required to achieve nausea relief from commercially available isopropyl alcohol pad held 1-2 cm below nares.1
- Recent systematic review found no evidence to support any one pharmacologic treatment over another in ED for nausea.3
- Ondansetron costs ~$4 per tablet.4
- Systematic review of four RCTs (215 patients)5 of inhaled isopropyl alcohol for post-operative nausea found fewer patients required rescue antiemetics versus standard therapy (26% versus 39% placebo), NNT=8. Other outcomes inconsistent and adverse effects not reported.
