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. 2006 Nov;52(11):1397-8.

Ondansetron for acute gastroenteritis in children

Sunil Mehta  1 , Ran D Goldman
Affiliations

Ondansetron for acute gastroenteritis in children

Sunil Mehta et al. Can Fam Physician. 2006 Nov.

Abstract
in English, French

Question: 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?

Answer: 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.

QUESTION: Dans ma pratique pédiatrique, je vois beaucoup d’enfants souffrant de gastro-entérite aiguë. Les parents demandent des médicaments antivomitifs. L’ondansétron est bien toléré lorsqu’il est administré pour contrôler la nausée et les vomissements chez les patients en chimiothérapie. Peut-on l’utiliser pour traiter la gastro-entérite aiguë chez les enfants?

RÉPONSE: L’utilisation des antivomitifs n’est pas indiquée pour le traitement de la gastro-entérite aiguë. Certaines données suggèrent que l’ondansétron est cliniquement plus efficace, et mieux toléré, et qu’il a moins d’effets secondaires que d’autres antivomitifs. Mais rien ne prouve qu’il réduit les taux d’hospitalisation. L’utilisation d’antivomitifs demeure à la discrétion du médecin traitant, qui devrait toujours considérer les effets indésirables potentiels avant d’en administrer.

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