Comparison between naloxone and nalbuphine for the treatment of side effects of epidural morphine

The aim of this study is to compare naloxone and nalbuphine when needed for treatment of side effects after epidural morphine [5 mg] given for postoperative gall bladder surgery for postoperative analgesia. Patients requesting treatment for pruritus or nusea received either naloxone intravenously [0.2 mg] [group 1, no. 20] or nalbuphine [5 mg] [group 2, no. 20] incidence of vomiting, severity of nusea and pruritus, and the degree of sedation and pain were assessed before and 30 minutes after each dose. The first dose of nalbuphine decreased the incidence of vomiting [P < 0.005] and severity of nusea and pruritus [P < 0.01] whereas naloxone caused no significant changes. Sedation scores increased after nalbuphine [P < 0.05], while they did not change after naloxone, whereas pain scores increased after naloxone [P > 0.01] and unchanged after nalbuphine. Seventeen patients in group 1 and 12 in group 2 received a second dose. After second dose 7 and 4 patients, respectively, received a third dose. After second dose, pruritus decreased with both drugs. It is concluded that nalbuphine is prior to naloxone for treatment of side effects after epidural morphine