Efficacy of Racecadotril in Acute Watery Diarrhea in Children

Abstract

Background: Acute watery diarrhea remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children, especially in low-resource settings. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Racecadotril, a new class of antidiarrheal medication, in treating children with acute watery diarrhea.

Methods: A Randomized Controlled Trial was conducted involving 78 children aged between 6 months and 10 years, admitted with acute watery diarrhea at Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital, Muzaffargarh. The children were divided into two groups: Group A (Interventional, n=39) received Racecadotril along with oral zinc, IV antibiotics, and IV fluids; Group B (Control, n=39) received only oral zinc, IV antibiotics, and IV fluids. The primary endpoints were the number of stools, consistency of stool, and the need for IV hydration. The secondary endpoints included the total duration of diarrhea and any adverse outcomes.

Results: Group A exhibited significant improvement in primary endpoints, with better stool consistency and reduced need for IV hydration. There were no significant adverse effects recorded in either group, affirming the safety of Racecadotril in pediatric use.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates that Racecadotril could be an effective and safe treatment option for acute watery diarrhea in children. It shows promise in reducing the morbidity associated with acute diarrhea and warrants further large-scale trials to confirm its long-term efficacy.