A Trial Comparing the Effect of Oral Dimenhydrinate Versus Placebo in Children With Gastroenteritis
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2012-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Dimenhydrinate, an over-the-counter, widely used drug in Canada, is an
ethanolamine-derivative anti-histamine. It limits the stimulation of the vomiting center by
the vestibular system, which is rich in histamine receptors. Multiple studies have shown its
effectiveness in treatment of post-operative nausea and vomiting in children. It is also used
for treatment of vertigo in children. Furthermore, it has the potential to be much more
cost-effective than ondansetron, with an average cost of $0.90 US per dose . Its principal
side effects are drowsiness, dizziness and anticholinergic symptoms. Restlessness and
insomnia have also been described in children. To date, there has been no published data on
the efficacy of dimenhydrinate in controlling emesis in children with acute gastroenteritis.
RESEARCH QUESTION
Do children treated with oral dimenhydrinate during acute gastro-enteritis experience less
vomiting episodes than children treated with placebo?