Could a common nausea drug shield ARDS lungs from further harm?

This study tests whether ondansetron, a drug typically used for nausea, can reduce the strong urge to breathe in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who are on a ventilator. By lowering this drive, the drug may prevent patients from overworking their lungs and causing additional injury. The trial will enroll 76 adults with moderate-to-severe ARDS and randomly assign them to receive ondansetron or a placebo four times daily, monitoring safety and feasibility for a larger future study.