Ondansetron for acute gastroenteritis in children.
OBJECTIVE
In my pediatric practice I see many children with acute gastroenteritis. Their parents ask for antiemetic medications. Ondansetron has been well tolerated when used to control nausea and vomiting in patients receiving chemotherapy. Is there a role for it in managing acute gastroenteritis in children?


CONCLUSIONS
Use of antiemetics is not indicated for treatment of acute gastroenteritis. Some evidence suggests ondansetron is clinically more effective and better tolerated and has a better side effect profile than other antiemetics, but does not suggest that it reduces hospital admission rates. Use of ondansetron, as with other antiemetics, continues to be at treating physicians' discretion, and potential adverse events should be considered before administration.
Mehta
Sunil
S
Pediatric Research in Emergency Therapeutics, Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Goldman
Ran D
RD
D000208:Acute Disease; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003681:Dehydration / Q000628:therapy; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000517:prevention & control; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control
D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron