Role of Antiemetic Drugs for the Treatment of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children

Acute gastroenteritis commonly causes diarrhea and vomiting in children and adolescents, resulting in many outpatient clinic visits, emergency department visits and hospitalizations, often owing to dehydration that results from persistent diarrhea and vomiting. The use of antiemetics (medications that prevent nausea and vomiting) has been controversial for children with gastroenteritis. While antiemetics can cause adverse events, including more diarrhea, scientific evidence suggests that certain antiemetics, particularly ondansetron, can reduce vomiting and decrease the chance that a child will need intravenous fluids or have to be admitted to the hospital.