Comparative Analysis of Oral Ondansetron, Metoclopramide, and Domperidone for Managing Vomiting in Children With Acute Gastroenteritis

Abstract

BackgroundAcute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major health concern in pediatric populations because of its associated vomiting, which worsens dehydration and the severity of illness. ObjectiveThe purpose of the research was to compare the relative effectiveness of oral ondansetron in treating AGE in children's vomiting when compared to oral domperidone and oral metoclopramide. MethodologyA clinical investigation involving 120 pediatric patients diagnosed with AGE was conducted in Pakistan from November 2022 to April 2023 using a single-blind randomized design and convenience sampling. The participants received oral suspensions of ondansetron, metoclopramide, and domperidone, with doses of 0.15 mg/kg, 0.1-0.2 mg/kg, and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively, adjusted according to their body weight. The outcome in different groups was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 20.0; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY). ResultsAt six hours, vomiting cessation rates were 80.0% for ondansetron (n=32), 72.5% for domperidone (n=29), and 67.5% for metoclopramide (n=27; p=0.29). By 24 hours, ondansetron exhibited significantly higher efficacy (92.5%; n=37) compared to domperidone (82.5%; n=33) and metoclopramide (77.5%; n=31; p=0.03). Adverse effects were minimal and comparable across groups. ConclusionOral ondansetron demonstrated superior efficacy in managing AGE-related vomiting in children within 24 hours compared to metoclopramide and domperidone.

Diagnósticos retrasados y administración de ondansetron en el tratamiento de los vómitos en urgencias pediátricas

“…Se ha demostrado que prescribir rehidratación oral puede reducir el ingreso (3) hospitalario hasta en un 45% . El tratamiento con ondansetron en niños con gastroenteritis aguda y vómitos además de ser más efectivo que la domperidona, mejora la eficacia de la rehidratación (4)(5)(6) oral . Sin embargo, un estudio reciente encontró que la administración de ondansetron como tratamiento farmacológico de los vómitos en pacientes en la atención primaria puede enmascarar patologías que (7) luego en la reconsulta necesitaron hospitalización .…”