Dimenhydrinate did not significantly reduce emesis due to acute gastroenteritis when compared with placebo, according to a study published online.
Serge Gouin, MDCM, FRCPC, and colleagues from the CHU Sainte-Justine at the Université de Montréal, in Quebec, examined 144 children aged 1 to 12 years who showed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis in the ED, with at least five episodes of vomiting in the previous 12 hours. Seventy-four patients were randomly assigned to the dimenhydrinate group and 70 were given placebo. The dimenhydrinate group received 1 mg/kg oral doses every 6 hours for four doses; placebo was given on the same schedule.
Besides not reducing rates of emesis when compared with placebo, the researchers said there was no difference in rates of IV catheter insertion, mean number of episodes of emesis or diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, duration of symptoms, revisit rates or parental absenteeism. The proportions of adverse effects were also similar in both groups.
Disclosure: Dr. Gouin reports no relevant financial disclosures.