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Ondansetron for acute gastroenteritis in children

Sunil Mehta1, Ran D Goldman

  • 1Pediatric Research in Emergency Therapeutics, Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
|February 7, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Ondansetron is not indicated for acute gastroenteritis in children. While it may be better tolerated than other antiemetics, evidence does not support reduced hospital admission rates.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Acute gastroenteritis is common in children.
  • Parents frequently request antiemetic medications.
  • Ondansetron is effective for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the role of ondansetron in managing acute gastroenteritis in children.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing evidence on ondansetron use in pediatric gastroenteritis.
  • Comparison of ondansetron with other antiemetics.

Main Results:

  • Ondansetron is not indicated for acute gastroenteritis.
  • Evidence suggests ondansetron is well-tolerated with a favorable side effect profile.
  • No evidence indicates ondansetron reduces hospital admission rates.

Conclusions:

  • Antiemetic use is not standard for acute gastroenteritis.
  • Ondansetron's use is at physician discretion.
  • Potential adverse events must be considered prior to administration.
Abstract

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