Tests have shown that Rotateq and Rotarix are effective in preventing diarrhoea in children cause by rotaviruses. Rotateq is manufactured by Merck while Rotarix is produced by GSK. You can read about these studies in the latest issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The journal states that both drugs have an impressive efficacy profile.
Rotavirus infection causes a huge number of child hospitalizations and deaths around the world each year. Rotavirus causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting.
Rotateq has been shown to be 98% effective while Rotarix is 85% effective (against rotavirus).
Rotarix was approved for use in Mexico earlier on this year. Neither drug has yet been approved in the USA.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today