Haloperidol parenterally for treatment of vomiting and nausea from gastrointestinal disorders in a group of geriatric patients: double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

Twenty-eight geriatric residents of a nursing home participated in a double-blind study to compare the 12-hour therapeutic effectiveness of a single intramuscular injection (1.0 mg) of haloperidol with that of placebo for the relief of vomiting and nausea due to gastrointestinal disorders. Significantly fewer episodes of vomiting occurred in the haloperidol group than in the placebo group. Nausea also was less frequent in the haloperidol group. After four hours, symptoms recurred much more often in the placebo group. Global evaluations showed that a significantly greater number of haloperidol patients improved markedly than did those given placebo. There were no clinically significant changes in vital signs throughout the study in the haloperidol group. In 1 placebo patient the pulse rate was significantly increased; otherwise no adverse reactions were reported for this group. Thus, in a nursing-home population of geriatric patients who experienced vomiting and nausea due to gastrointestinal disorders, haloperidol administered parenterally proved to be a safe and highly effective antiemetic agent.