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Antiemetic Drug Use in Children: What the Clinician Needs to Know

Claudio Romano1, Valeria Dipasquale1, Carmelo Scarpignato2

  • 1Pediatric Gastroenterology and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "G. Barresi", University of Messina, Messina.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|December 13, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Ondansetron effectively reduces recurrent vomiting, dehydration, and hospital admissions in children with acute gastroenteritis. This "off-label/on-evidence" use improves oral rehydration therapy success in pediatric emergency care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Persistent vomiting in children leads to dehydration and frequent hospitalizations.
  • Current pharmacological treatment of pediatric vomiting often involves off-label antiemetic drug use.
  • Domperidone and ondansetron are frequently prescribed antiemetics for pediatric vomiting.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the therapeutic use, safety, and pharmacological properties of antiemetic drugs in children.
  • To evaluate the evidence supporting off-label use of antiemetics in pediatric populations.
  • To highlight the role of ondansetron in managing acute gastroenteritis-related vomiting.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search of PubMed MEDLINE database from 1998 to February 2018.
  • Inclusion of articles published in English.
  • Focus on antiemetic drug properties, efficacy, and safety in pediatric patients.

Main Results:

  • A single oral dose of ondansetron significantly reduces recurrent vomiting, need for intravenous fluids, and hospital admissions in children with acute gastroenteritis.
  • Evidence supports ondansetron administration in children, classifying its use as "off-label/on-evidence."
  • Off-label/on-evidence use of antiemetics can enhance oral rehydration therapy success in pediatric emergency settings.

Conclusions:

  • Ondansetron demonstrates significant efficacy in managing vomiting associated with acute gastroenteritis in children.
  • The "off-label/on-evidence" approach to antiemetic use, particularly with ondansetron, is supported by current data.
  • Optimizing antiemetic drug management can prevent complications and improve outcomes in pediatric vomiting cases.

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