John and group,
with all due respect, that's not a useful trial, that's an anecdotal
experience that just happens to have happened to you! No-one denies that
morphine and other narcotics are capable of producing nausea and vomiting.
What is not clear is whether prophylactic antiemetic treatment of all
patients receiving narcotic solves more problems than it creates. There is
very little supporting evidence for this strategy in the Emergency
Department setting, in spite of the fact that it is widely practiced.
Perhaps a more reasonable practice would be to give antiemetic therapy to
patients who become nauseated, or in situations where vomiting is
potentially catastrophic eg penetrating eye injury, immobilised spinal
patients etc.
Just my $0.02 worth.
Regards
Paul Bailey MB BS FACEM
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