Pharmacologic Therapy for Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy

Approximately 75% of all pregnancies are estimated to be complicated by maternal nausea and vomiting, or nausea alone. Although nausea and vomiting are associated with a decreased risk of miscarriage, persistent or more severe symptoms can negatively impact the pregnant woman’s ability to work, as well as her quality of life. In a small subset of women (0.3%-1.0%), nausea and vomiting will progress to hyperemesis gravidarum, potentially leading to maternal dehydration, weight loss, hospitalization and adverse infant outcomes (N. Engl. J. Med. 2010;363:1544-50).

Although dietary modifications can be effective, pharmacologic therapy for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy may be needed. For more than 25 years, Bendectin was available in the United States, and was widely used as an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. However, in 1983 the drug was voluntarily removed from the market by the manufacturer on the basis of the extensive business costs and negative publicity associated with allegations of teratogenicity. In the ensuing 27 years, the drug has never been reintroduced into the U.S. market, despite the fact that the safety of Bendectin exposure in pregnancy has been extensively studied, and the overwhelming evidence does not support any teratogenic effect.

In recognition of the strong safety profile and effectiveness of the ingredients in Bendectin, present-day American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists practice guidelines recommend first-line treatment for nausea and vomiting with a combination of vitamin B6 and doxylamine (the formulation of Bendectin when it was removed from the market). This combination of ingredients, although not labeled for the indication of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, is available in the United States as an over-the-counter product under the brand name Unisom SleepTabs. At the same time, a sustained-release formulation of the ingredients in Bendectin (Diclectin) has been approved in Canada specifically for the indication of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, and has been widely used in that country for many years.

A further chapter was recently added to the long history of Bendectin. In a double-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted at three centers in the United States, the Canadian sustained-release formulation of Diclectin was compared with placebo for the treatment of nausea and vomiting (Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 2010 [doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2010.07.030]).

In this trial, the final sample included 256 pregnant women who met baseline criteria for severity and frequency of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. The women enrolled in the trial at a mean gestational age of approximately 9 weeks, and were treated with Diclectin or placebo for 15 days.

Using intent-to-treat analysis, a significant reduction in the study measure of frequency and intensity of nausea and vomiting was reported in the treated group, compared with the placebo arm. There was a similarly significant improvement in the treated group’s global assessment of well-being over the course of treatment. Furthermore, there was no significant excess of serious or nonserious adverse events reported in the treated group vs. the placebo group during the period of the intervention.

Because of the study design, women tended to enroll at the peak time in gestation for symptoms of nausea and vomiting to occur. Thus, although the mean reduction in symptom score from baseline was 23% greater in the treated group than in the placebo group, there were substantial (close to 50%) mean reductions in symptom score from baseline in both groups by the end of the 2-week trial. This undoubtedly was due in part to the natural decline in symptoms with or without treatment as women in both arms approached the end of the first trimester. Had women been able to be randomized closer to the onset of symptoms (approximately 5-6 weeks’ gestation), the treatment effect might have been stronger.

In addition, had earlier enrollment been possible, thereby allowing for a greater number of days of follow-up during the critical window of peak symptoms, the investigators might have been able to more effectively evaluate the economic impact of treatment on number of lost days of work due to nausea.

The study was not designed to test the hypothesis that early, effective treatment can reduce the rate of progression from nausea and vomiting to hyperemesis gravidarum in the small subset of women who are susceptible to this condition. However, ecological data suggest that this might be possible, given the approximate doubling of the incidence of hospitalizations due to hyperemesis following withdrawal of Bendectin from the market.

Adding to the large volume of safety data for Bendectin, this study provides evidence of the safety and effectiveness of the sustained-release product for the labeled indication, an extremely common condition of pregnancy.

Dr. Chambers is associate professor of pediatrics and family and preventive medicine at the University of California, San Diego. She is director of the California Teratogen Information Service and Clinical Research Program. Dr. Chambers is a past president of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (www.otispregnancy.org) and past president of the Teratology Society. She had no conflicts to disclose related to the topic of this column. To comment, e-mail her at [email protected].

Approximately 75% of all pregnancies are estimated to be complicated by maternal nausea and vomiting, or nausea alone. Although nausea and vomiting are associated with a decreased risk of miscarriage, persistent or more severe symptoms can negatively impact the pregnant woman’s ability to work, as well as her quality of life. In a small subset of women (0.3%-1.0%), nausea and vomiting will progress to hyperemesis gravidarum, potentially leading to maternal dehydration, weight loss, hospitalization and adverse infant outcomes (N. Engl. J. Med. 2010;363:1544-50).

Although dietary modifications can be effective, pharmacologic therapy for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy may be needed. For more than 25 years, Bendectin was available in the United States, and was widely used as an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. However, in 1983 the drug was voluntarily removed from the market by the manufacturer on the basis of the extensive business costs and negative publicity associated with allegations of teratogenicity. In the ensuing 27 years, the drug has never been reintroduced into the U.S. market, despite the fact that the safety of Bendectin exposure in pregnancy has been extensively studied, and the overwhelming evidence does not support any teratogenic effect.

In recognition of the strong safety profile and effectiveness of the ingredients in Bendectin, present-day American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists practice guidelines recommend first-line treatment for nausea and vomiting with a combination of vitamin B6 and doxylamine (the formulation of Bendectin when it was removed from the market). This combination of ingredients, although not labeled for the indication of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, is available in the United States as an over-the-counter product under the brand name Unisom SleepTabs. At the same time, a sustained-release formulation of the ingredients in Bendectin (Diclectin) has been approved in Canada specifically for the indication of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, and has been widely used in that country for many years.

A further chapter was recently added to the long history of Bendectin. In a double-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted at three centers in the United States, the Canadian sustained-release formulation of Diclectin was compared with placebo for the treatment of nausea and vomiting (Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 2010 [doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2010.07.030]).

In this trial, the final sample included 256 pregnant women who met baseline criteria for severity and frequency of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. The women enrolled in the trial at a mean gestational age of approximately 9 weeks, and were treated with Diclectin or placebo for 15 days.

Using intent-to-treat analysis, a significant reduction in the study measure of frequency and intensity of nausea and vomiting was reported in the treated group, compared with the placebo arm. There was a similarly significant improvement in the treated group’s global assessment of well-being over the course of treatment. Furthermore, there was no significant excess of serious or nonserious adverse events reported in the treated group vs. the placebo group during the period of the intervention.

Because of the study design, women tended to enroll at the peak time in gestation for symptoms of nausea and vomiting to occur. Thus, although the mean reduction in symptom score from baseline was 23% greater in the treated group than in the placebo group, there were substantial (close to 50%) mean reductions in symptom score from baseline in both groups by the end of the 2-week trial. This undoubtedly was due in part to the natural decline in symptoms with or without treatment as women in both arms approached the end of the first trimester. Had women been able to be randomized closer to the onset of symptoms (approximately 5-6 weeks’ gestation), the treatment effect might have been stronger.

In addition, had earlier enrollment been possible, thereby allowing for a greater number of days of follow-up during the critical window of peak symptoms, the investigators might have been able to more effectively evaluate the economic impact of treatment on number of lost days of work due to nausea.

The study was not designed to test the hypothesis that early, effective treatment can reduce the rate of progression from nausea and vomiting to hyperemesis gravidarum in the small subset of women who are susceptible to this condition. However, ecological data suggest that this might be possible, given the approximate doubling of the incidence of hospitalizations due to hyperemesis following withdrawal of Bendectin from the market.

Adding to the large volume of safety data for Bendectin, this study provides evidence of the safety and effectiveness of the sustained-release product for the labeled indication, an extremely common condition of pregnancy.

Dr. Chambers is associate professor of pediatrics and family and preventive medicine at the University of California, San Diego. She is director of the California Teratogen Information Service and Clinical Research Program. Dr. Chambers is a past president of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (www.otispregnancy.org) and past president of the Teratology Society. She had no conflicts to disclose related to the topic of this column. To comment, e-mail her at [email protected].

Approximately 75% of all pregnancies are estimated to be complicated by maternal nausea and vomiting, or nausea alone. Although nausea and vomiting are associated with a decreased risk of miscarriage, persistent or more severe symptoms can negatively impact the pregnant woman’s ability to work, as well as her quality of life. In a small subset of women (0.3%-1.0%), nausea and vomiting will progress to hyperemesis gravidarum, potentially leading to maternal dehydration, weight loss, hospitalization and adverse infant outcomes (N. Engl. J. Med. 2010;363:1544-50).

Although dietary modifications can be effective, pharmacologic therapy for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy may be needed. For more than 25 years, Bendectin was available in the United States, and was widely used as an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. However, in 1983 the drug was voluntarily removed from the market by the manufacturer on the basis of the extensive business costs and negative publicity associated with allegations of teratogenicity. In the ensuing 27 years, the drug has never been reintroduced into the U.S. market, despite the fact that the safety of Bendectin exposure in pregnancy has been extensively studied, and the overwhelming evidence does not support any teratogenic effect.

In recognition of the strong safety profile and effectiveness of the ingredients in Bendectin, present-day American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists practice guidelines recommend first-line treatment for nausea and vomiting with a combination of vitamin B6 and doxylamine (the formulation of Bendectin when it was removed from the market). This combination of ingredients, although not labeled for the indication of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, is available in the United States as an over-the-counter product under the brand name Unisom SleepTabs. At the same time, a sustained-release formulation of the ingredients in Bendectin (Diclectin) has been approved in Canada specifically for the indication of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, and has been widely used in that country for many years.

A further chapter was recently added to the long history of Bendectin. In a double-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted at three centers in the United States, the Canadian sustained-release formulation of Diclectin was compared with placebo for the treatment of nausea and vomiting (Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 2010 [doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2010.07.030]).

In this trial, the final sample included 256 pregnant women who met baseline criteria for severity and frequency of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. The women enrolled in the trial at a mean gestational age of approximately 9 weeks, and were treated with Diclectin or placebo for 15 days.

Using intent-to-treat analysis, a significant reduction in the study measure of frequency and intensity of nausea and vomiting was reported in the treated group, compared with the placebo arm. There was a similarly significant improvement in the treated group’s global assessment of well-being over the course of treatment. Furthermore, there was no significant excess of serious or nonserious adverse events reported in the treated group vs. the placebo group during the period of the intervention.

Because of the study design, women tended to enroll at the peak time in gestation for symptoms of nausea and vomiting to occur. Thus, although the mean reduction in symptom score from baseline was 23% greater in the treated group than in the placebo group, there were substantial (close to 50%) mean reductions in symptom score from baseline in both groups by the end of the 2-week trial. This undoubtedly was due in part to the natural decline in symptoms with or without treatment as women in both arms approached the end of the first trimester. Had women been able to be randomized closer to the onset of symptoms (approximately 5-6 weeks’ gestation), the treatment effect might have been stronger.

In addition, had earlier enrollment been possible, thereby allowing for a greater number of days of follow-up during the critical window of peak symptoms, the investigators might have been able to more effectively evaluate the economic impact of treatment on number of lost days of work due to nausea.

The study was not designed to test the hypothesis that early, effective treatment can reduce the rate of progression from nausea and vomiting to hyperemesis gravidarum in the small subset of women who are susceptible to this condition. However, ecological data suggest that this might be possible, given the approximate doubling of the incidence of hospitalizations due to hyperemesis following withdrawal of Bendectin from the market.

Adding to the large volume of safety data for Bendectin, this study provides evidence of the safety and effectiveness of the sustained-release product for the labeled indication, an extremely common condition of pregnancy.

Dr. Chambers is associate professor of pediatrics and family and preventive medicine at the University of California, San Diego. She is director of the California Teratogen Information Service and Clinical Research Program. Dr. Chambers is a past president of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (www.otispregnancy.org) and past president of the Teratology Society. She had no conflicts to disclose related to the topic of this column. To comment, e-mail her at [email protected].