We aimed to understand how zinc tablets, often recommended for treating diarrhoea in young children, affect nausea and overall treatment adherence. In this open-label study, we involved children aged 3 to 59 months who visited the outpatient department at Dhaka Hospital.
Our findings revealed that a significant number of children, about 92.7%, tolerated the modified zinc tablets well. However, we also noted that 32.8% of the children experienced vomiting, and 19.5% had regurgitation, while a smaller number, 7.4%, reported nausea. Interestingly, despite these side effects, a remarkable 99.3% of caregivers expressed their willingness to continue using this zinc formulation in the future.
Overall, while our study demonstrated that the modified zinc formulation was generally well-tolerated, we cannot overlook the considerable instances of nausea and vomiting experienced by the children. Balancing these side effects with the willingness of caregivers offers a complex view of zinc's role in diarrhoea management.