Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
Supplements studied for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).
Overview
Melatonin is the only supplement listed for postoperative nausea and vomiting, with low-strength evidence from one small study. Melatonin at 3, 5, or 10 mg one hour before lumbar discectomy did not reduce postoperative nausea compared with placebo.
Current evidence does not support melatonin for PONV in this setting. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
2 supplements for rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
GingerView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Early research shows that taking ginger capsules three times a day for two months may help women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- It may lower body weight, body mass index, and some hormone levels related to PCOS.
- However, ginger does not seem to change testosterone levels.
- More studies are needed to know if ginger is a helpful treatment for PCOS.
Browse 18 studies·3 meta-analyses
MetaGinger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) preparations for prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting: A Bayesian network meta-analysis2023n=2,199
A Bayesian network meta-analysis of 2,199 surgical patients found ginger preparations significantly reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting versus placebo across formulations.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Surgical patients
- Participants
- 2,199
RCTThe effect of ginger and metoclopramide in the prevention of nausea and vomiting during and after surgery in cesarean section under spinal anesthesia2020n=180
In 180 cesarean section patients, oral ginger 1 g pre-operatively was comparably effective to IV metoclopramide 10 mg for preventing intraoperative nausea and vomiting.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 10 mg/day
- Population
- Pregnant women undergoing cesarean section
- Participants
- 180
- Ages
- 18–40
RCTThe Efficacy Of Ginger And Doxedetomidine In Reducing Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting In Patients Undergoing Abdominal Hysterectomy2020n=92
In 92 abdominal hysterectomy patients, ginger was comparably effective to dexmedetomidine for reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting in a double-blind trial.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 1 g/day
- Population
- Women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy
- Participants
- 92
MetaGinger (Zingiber officinale): An alternative for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. A meta-analysis2018n=918
A meta-analysis of 918 surgical patients found ginger significantly reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting incidence versus placebo across randomized trials.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Surgical patients
- Participants
- 918
RCTAromatherapy as treatment for postoperative nausea: a randomized trial2013n=1,151
In 1,151 postoperative patients, ginger aromatherapy was not significantly more effective than placebo or other aromatherapy blends for postoperative nausea relief.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 1,151
RCTEfficacy of ginger on intraoperative and postoperative nausea and vomiting in elective cesarean section patients2013n=123
In 239 women undergoing cesarean section, ginger 2 g (1 g pre-op and 1 g post-op) significantly reduced intraoperative and postoperative nausea versus placebo alongside standard antiemetics.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 2 g/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 123
RCTEffectiveness of ginger for prevention of nausea and vomiting after gynecological laparoscopy2006n=30
In 60 gynecologic laparoscopy patients, ginger 1.5 g pre-operatively significantly reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 1.5 g/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 30
RCTPrevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after thyroidectomy: combined antiemetic treatment with dexamethasone and ginger versus dexamethasone alone2006n=20
In 120 thyroidectomy patients, dexamethasone plus ginger premedication significantly reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting versus dexamethasone alone.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 500 mg/day
- Population
- Patients undergoing thyroidectomy
- Participants
- 20
MetaThe efficacy of ginger for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a meta‑analysis2006n=363
A meta-analysis of 363 surgical patients found ginger significantly reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting at 24 hours versus placebo (NNT ~11).
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 1 g/day
- Population
- Surgical patients
- Participants
- 363
RCTThe efficacy of ginger in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after major gynecologic surgery2006n=60
In 120 major gynecologic surgery patients, ginger 1 g pre-operatively significantly reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 0.5 g/day
- Population
- Women undergoing gynecologic surgery
- Participants
- 60
The essential oil of ginger, Zingiber officinale, and anaesthesia2005
This report on ginger essential oil and anaesthesia provided no extractable clinical outcome data beyond the title.
RCTGinger does not prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic surgery2003n=180
In 180 gynecologic laparoscopy patients, oral ginger at two dose levels did not significantly reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 180 g/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 180
RCTThe efficacy of ginger in prevention of post‑operative nausea and vomiting after outpatient gynecological laparoscopy2003n=40
In 80 outpatient gynecologic laparoscopy patients, ginger 1 g pre-operatively significantly reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 1 g/day
- Population
- Women undergoing gynecological laparoscopy
- Participants
- 40
Systematic reviewEfficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials2000
A systematic review of 6 ginger RCTs found ginger superior to placebo for postoperative nausea in 2 of 3 PONV trials and comparable to metoclopramide in another.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 1 g/day
RCTThe efficacy of ginger root in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after outpatient gynaecological laparoscopy1998n=120
In 120 gynecologic laparoscopy patients, ginger 2 g, droperidol 1.25 mg, or both did not significantly reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 2 g/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 120
RCTA double‑blind randomized controlled trial of ginger for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting1995
In 108 gynecologic laparoscopy patients, ginger 0.5 or 1.0 g pre-operatively did not significantly reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 0.5–1.0 g
- Population
- Women
RCTZingiber officinale (ginger)--an antiemetic for day case surgery1993n=120
In 120 day-case gynecologic surgery patients, ginger powder was as effective as metoclopramide (21% vs 27% nausea) and both outperformed placebo (41%) for PONV.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 120
RCTGinger root--a new antiemetic. The effect of ginger root on postoperative nausea and vomiting after major gynaecological surgery1990n=60
In 60 women after major gynecologic surgery, ginger root significantly reduced postoperative nausea versus placebo and was comparable to metoclopramide.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 60
MelatoninView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- In a small study of people having back surgery (lumbar discectomy), taking melatonin 3 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg an hour before surgery did not help with nausea afterward compared with placebo.
Browse 1 study
RCTThe Effect of Preoperative Oral Melatonin on Postoperative Pain after Lumbar Disc Surgery: A Double-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial2022n=80
In 80 lumbar discectomy patients, preoperative melatonin 3–10 mg reduced postoperative pain scores versus lower doses or placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 5 mg/day
- Population
- Adults undergoing lumbar disc surgery
- Participants
- 80
- Ages
- 35–70
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.