Use of Ephedrine for the Short-Term Treatment of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Case Report

Abstract

Ephedrine, a well-known sympathomimetic agent, is used in the perioperative setting to treat acute hypotension, especially hypotension related to anesthetic events. Ephedrine's unlabeled use as an antiemetic agent is less well known despite its efficacy and safety profile for short-term and/or prophylactic treatment. The following case report describes the benefits of using ephedrine to mitigate postoperative nausea and vomiting and associated dizziness while waiting for longer lasting therapy to take effect and/or use as a secondary agent.