PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Sunil Mehta AU - Ran D Goldman TI - Ondansetron for acute gastroenteritis in children. DP - 2006 Nov 01 TA - Canadian Family Physician PG - 1397--1398 VI - 52 IP - 11 4099 - http://www.cfp.ca/content/52/11/1397.short 4100 - http://www.cfp.ca/content/52/11/1397.full SO - Can Fam Physician2006 Nov 01; 52 AB - 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.