Antiemetic Drug Enhances Oral Rehydration

Ondansetron before oral rehydration in the ED resulted in less vomiting and more effective rehydration.

Oral rehydration therapy is underused for children with gastroenteritis, particularly when vomiting is their major symptom. In a partially industry-supported, double-blind clinical trial, investigators in a Chicago pediatric emergency department randomized 215 children (age range, 6 months to 10 years) with gastroenteritis to receive either single doses of the antiemetic drug ondansetron (Zofran) or placebo. Children who vomited within 15 minutes of administration received second doses. Each child received 1 hour of oral rehydration that began 15 minutes after study drug administration.

Compared with children who received placebo, significantly fewer children who received ondansetron vomited (35% vs. 14%) or required intravenous hydration (3…

Reviewing Author

Howard Bauchner, MD