IADR Abstract Archives

Does Granisetron eliminate the gag reflex: a pilot study

Objectives: We might encounter gagging in various patients coming to seek routine treatment at the dental practice. Gagging has no common treatment, and may jeopardize dental procedures. We suggest that selective 5-HT3 antagonists may relief the gagging. We examined the prophylactic effect of Granisetron on gagging during routine dental treatment.

Methods: Both Granisetron and placebo were administered intravenously to 25 healthy volunteers on two different appointments. Gagging levels were recorded before and after administration, as were BP, pulse and O2 saturation. The recorded results were analyzed using tests for non-parametric values (P=0.05).

Results: There was a significant increase of the depth of swab insertion after the administration of both the placebo and the drug. The increase post insertion of the drug correlated with decrease in body mass. There was no significant change in volunteers heart rate, blood pressure and O2 saturation, and no adverse effects were reported.

Conclusion: It is possible that relaxation caused a decrease in gagging, and some placebo effect was noticed as well. Only the drug effect increased proportionally to the increase of drug dosage per kilogram of body mass. Increased dosage of Granisetron may have a better effect on gagging patients. The true efficacy of Granisetron in this treatment protocol is yet to be fully established.


Division: Israeli Division Meeting
Meeting: 2008 Israeli Division Meeting (Tel Aviv, Israel)
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Year: 2008
Final Presentation ID:
Abstract Category|Abstract Category(s): Scientific Groups
Authors
  • Friedlander-barenboim, Silvina  ( Hadassah and Hebrew University School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, N/A, Israel )
  • Dvoyris, Vladislav  ( Hadassah and Hebrew University School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, N/A, Israel )
  • Kaufman, Eliezer  ( Hadassah and Hebrew University School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, N/A, Israel )
  • SESSION INFORMATION
    Oral Session
    Dental Anesthesiology Research