The quality of evidence is downgraded by study limitations (unclear allocation concealment), inconsistency (variability in results), and by imprecise results (few patients and outcome events).
A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 7 studies with a total of 1 140 children (aged 3 months to 5 years) comparing racecadotril to placebo (5 studies) or no treatment (2 studies). Studies were conducted in both inpatient and outpatient settings in countries with different levels of income. There was no significant difference between racecadotril and control group on the rate of rehydration failure (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.23; 2 studies, n=192). Stool output within 48 hours after treatment was lower in the racecadotril group than in the placebo group (SMD −0.65, 95% CI −0.88 to −0.41; 2 studies, n=301). Three studies (n=619) reported no significant difference on duration of diarrhoea between the grouops and 2 studies (n=248) showed duration of diarrhoea was shorter in those receiving racecadotril. Length of hospital stay was similar in 2 studies measuring this. There was no differences in the rate of adverse events between racecadotril and control (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.22; 5 studies, n=688). Most adverse events in the racecadotril group were mild or moderate.
Date of latest search:
Primary/Secondary Keywords