A Randomized Controlled Trial of Scheduled Prophylactic Antiemetics for Reduction of Emesis With Doxycycline

Background/Purpose of the Study Doxycycline is an antibiotic used for infection prevention before surgical pregnancy termination, and a side effect of it is nausea/vomiting. The investigators' study explores whether or not taking the anti-emetic ondansetron prior to doxycycline decreases rates of nausea/vomiting. Patients enrolled in the investigators' study will take either ondansetron or a placebo before they take doxycycline to see if ondansetron decreases their nausea/vomiting. Reducing nausea/vomiting may prevent more infections, and decrease the rates of general anesthesia, patient risks and hospital costs. Decreasing nausea/vomiting will also improve patient experience.

Study Design This will be a randomized controlled trial. Data will be collected by administrating surveys and a log where patients will record the timing of their medications and episodes of nausea/vomiting. The primary outcome is nausea/vomiting after taking the anti-emetic/placebo and doxycycline. 400 eligible patients will be enrolled over two years, 200 in the intervention group and 200 in the placebo group.

Rationale for Study Design A randomized controlled trial will be used to determine the effects of the anti-emetic ondansetron on rates of nausea/vomiting.

Subject Characteristics Patients will be pregnant females, 18-45 years old, who are undergoing surgical termination of pregnancy.

Design 1-2 days before the procedure, patients will complete a demographic questionnaire and a survey about symptoms of nausea/vomiting. They will use a log to record symptoms they experience between taking the anti-emetic/placebo and when they present for their procedure. When patients come to the hospital, they will fill out a repeat survey rating their nausea/vomiting.