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Antiemetic activity of ondansetron in acute gastroenteritis

1997; Wiley; Volume: 11; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1046/j.1365-2036.1997.97269000.x

1365-2036

Luigi X. Cubeddu, Lesbia Trujillo, Isaac Talmaciu, V.A. González-Delgado, J. Guariguata, J. SEIJAS, Irene Miller, W. Paska,

Pathogenesis and Treatment of Hiccups

Background : The mechanism of nausea and vomiting associated with gastroenteritis is unknown. The role of 5‐HT 3 receptors in emesis associated with gastroenteritis was investigated in paediatric patients. Methods : A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group study was conducted in three groups of 12 patients each, receiving either a single i.v. dose of ondansetron (0.3 mg/kg), metoclopramide (0.3 mg/kg) or placebo (sterile saline). Food was restricted and oral rehydration was administered for 4 h. Results : During 0–24 h, the number of emetic episodes experienced was significantly greater ( P =0.048) with placebo (mean=5) than ondansetron (mean=2) and the proportion of patients experiencing no emesis was significantly greater ( P =0.039) with ondansetron (58%) than placebo (17%). A numerical difference, in favour of ondansetron, was observed between ondansetron and metoclopramide groups for both of the above parameters. Fewer treatment failures were observed with ondansetron (17%) than placebo (33%) and metoclopramide (42%). More diarrheal episodes were observed in the groups receiving anti‐emetic treatment. All three treatments were well tolerated. Conclusions : Ondansetron, a 5HT 3 receptor antagonist, was significantly superior to placebo in preventing emesis associated with acute gastroenteritis, in paediatric patients. Therefore, serotonin, acting through 5HT 3 receptors, may play a role in this form of emesis.