From the Guidelines
Ondansetron for a 15-month-old child is recommended at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg, which is approximately 1.5-1.8 mg for a child weighing 10-12 kg, and can be administered every 8 hours as needed, not exceeding 3 doses in 24 hours. The dosage of ondansetron for pediatric patients, including those as young as 15 months, has been evaluated in clinical practice, with established doses being 5 mg/m2 or 0.15 mg/kg for ondansetron 1. Given the child's age and weight, the oral solution (4 mg/5 mL) would be a suitable formulation, allowing for precise dosing. Key considerations include:
- The child's weight to calculate the appropriate dose
- The formulation of ondansetron, with oral solution being preferable for precise dosing in young children
- The frequency of administration, which should not exceed 3 doses in 24 hours
- Potential side effects, such as headache, mild dizziness, or constipation, although these are generally mild 1. It is essential to consult with a pediatrician before administering ondansetron to ensure the appropriate dosing for the child's specific weight and medical condition, as this medication is prescription-only and should be used under medical supervision.
From the Research
Ondansetron Formulation for 15-Month-Old
- The optimal dose of ondansetron for a 15-month-old child is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but we can look at the dosing information from the studies for guidance.
- According to 2, in children receiving ondansetron, multiple 5 mg/m2 or 0.15 mg/kg intravenous and/or oral doses were used.
- The study 3 analyzed data from a prospective clinical trial where participants aged 0.5-8.2 years received an ondansetron oral disintegrating formulation with a dose range of 0.13 to 0.26 mg/kg.
- For a 15-month-old child, assuming an average weight of around 10 kg, the dose would be approximately 1.3 to 2.6 mg based on the dose range in 3.
- However, it's essential to consult a pediatrician or a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dose and formulation of ondansetron for a specific child, as individual factors such as weight, medical history, and current health status need to be considered.
Efficacy and Safety of Ondansetron in Children
- Ondansetron has shown good efficacy in preventing acute nausea and vomiting in children receiving moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy and/or irradiation, particularly when combined with dexamethasone 2.
- In children undergoing surgery, ondansetron demonstrated superior prophylactic antiemetic efficacy compared with placebo, droperidol, and metoclopramide, and was relatively free of adverse events 2, 4, 5.
- The most frequently reported adverse events in children receiving ondansetron were mild to moderate headache, constipation, and diarrhea in patients receiving chemotherapy, and wound problems, anxiety, headache, drowsiness, and pyrexia in patients post-surgery 2.