Using Ondansetron to Prevent Headaches After Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery

Contribution of Ondansetron to Preventing Post-Dural Puncture Headaches Following Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Sections : A Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional Mongi Slim Hospital · NCT06444737

This study is testing if giving ondansetron before a cesarean delivery can help prevent headaches that some women get after spinal anesthesia.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment300 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 45 Years
SexFemale
SponsorMongi Slim Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Tunis)
Trial IDNCT06444737 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of ondansetron in preventing post-dural puncture headaches in parturients undergoing elective cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either intravenous ondansetron or a control solution of normal saline shortly before the procedure. The study aims to determine if ondansetron can significantly reduce the incidence of headaches that can occur after spinal anesthesia. Conducted over seven months, the trial includes women aged 18-45 who are at 37-41 weeks of gestation and classified as ASA 2.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are women aged 18-45, classified as ASA 2, and scheduled for elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia.

Not a fit: Patients who require multiple attempts for spinal anesthesia or conversion to general anesthesia due to complications may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new preventive measure for post-dural puncture headaches, improving recovery and comfort for patients after cesarean delivery.

How similar studies have performed: While the efficacy of ondansetron for other indications is well-documented, this specific application for preventing post-dural puncture headaches is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged between 18-45 years
* ASA 2
* Between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation
* scheduled for elective caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia
* To be delivered by unscheduled caesarean section whose indication does not involve a vital maternal or fetal emergency, according to the Lucas' classification

Exclusion Criteria:

* All patients who required :
* more than two attempts for spinal anaesthesia
* conversion to general anesthesia following failure of spinal anesthesia (defined as a sensory block level \<T6) or an intraoperative complication (such as hemorrhage or anaphylactic shock).

As well as patients who have subsequently withdrawn their consent for participating to our study.

Where this trial is running

Tunis

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Post-Dural Puncture Headache
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.