Objective: To evaluate oral pyridoxine in conjunction with standard therapy in women hospitalized for hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Methods: Patients with HG were randomized at hospitalization to 20 mg oral pyridoxine thrice daily or to placebo. Intravenous rehydration, metoclopramide and oral thiamine were also administered. Metoclopramide and thiamine were continued for 2 weeks after discharge. Rehospitalization for HG in the 2-week study period was ascertained, vomiting was recorded by diary, and nausea was evaluated with a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) at enrolment, after hospital discharge and on week 1 and 2 reviews. Results: Ninety-two women were included in the analysis. The rehospitalization rate was 37.5 versus 21.1% (relative risk 1.8, 95% confidence interval 0.9–3.7, p = 0.14) for pyridoxine and placebo, respectively. Daily vomiting episodes after discharge were not different (mean ± SD): 1.9 ± 2.4 versus 1.4 ± 1.1, p = 0.28 during week 1 and 1.4 ± 1.3 versus 1.4 ± 1.6, p = 0.98 during week 2. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed no difference in the nausea visual analogue scale (p = 0.59). Conclusion: The use of oral pyridoxine in conjunction with metoclopramide during the inpatient stay and during the 2 weeks after hospital discharge for hyperemesis gravidarum did not improve the rehospitalization rate, the vomiting frequency or the nausea score. Larger studies need to be done.

Keywords:
Pyridoxine, Vitamin B6, Hyperemesis gravidarum
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
2008
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.