ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the effect of racecadotril on reduction in the duration of acute rotavirus and non-rotavirus diarrhea. Design: Two randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials Setting: Community-based trial in an urban area in Vellore, hospital-based trial at a secondary hospital in Vellore Participants: 199 and 130 3-59 month old children in the community- and hospital-based trials, respectively. Methods: Racecadotril (1.5 mg/kg/dose, thrice a day for three days) or placebo were given to manage acute diarrhea in both trials. Main outcome measure: Median duration of diarrhea. Results: Among 124 children completing the hospital trial, the median duration of diarrhea was 25 h in both arms (P=0.5); median total stool weight was 74 g/kg and 53.5 g/kg in racecadotril group and placebo group, respectively (P=0.4); and average fluid intake per day was 3.6 mL/kg/h and 3mL/kg/h in racecadotril and placebo arms, respectively (P=0.3). Among rotavirus-positive children, median duration of diarrhea was 26.9 h and 30.2 h in racecadotril and placebo arms, respectively (P=0.7). In the community, 196 completed the trial, the median duration of diarrhea was 2 days for both arms (P=0.8) and rotavirus positive children had similar outcomes with median diarrheal duration of 3 d in both arms (P=0.4). Conclusion: Treatment with racecadotril did not reduce diarrheal duration, stool volume or the requirement for fluid replacement in children with acute gastroenteritis, both with and without rotavirus infection.