Comparing a new drug (fosaprepitant) and ondansetron for nausea and vomiting

The study team proposes a randomized, double-blind, RCT to address the following goal: to determine the relative efficacy and adverse event profile of fosaprepitant compared to the standard of care antiemetic ondansetron. Fosaprepitant and its active metabolite aprepitant are a relatively new class of antiemetic that exclusively acts in the central nervous system by blocking neurokinin (NK-1) which is a key signaling molecule in the centrally mediated aspects of the vomiting reflex. Currently, fosaprepitant and aprepitant both have only two United Stated Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approved indications for nausea and vomiting: chemotherapy-induced and postoperative. Neurokinin inhibitors are highly effective and generally well-tolerated. Therefore, this class of medication may be a more appropriate medication for the millions of patients with nausea and vomiting that seek care in EDs. Intravenous fosaprepitant is converted to the active metabolite aprepitant on the order of minutes and is significantly cheaper to procure at this time. The outcome for the efficacy analysis will be no need for additional medication to treat nausea and vomiting within 2 hours of investigational medication administration. The primary outcome for the tolerability analysis will be the development of any new symptom within 2 hours of medication administration.