There are several medications that can be used to treat diarrhea, which have different mechanisms of action, and which are prescribed taking into account the cause of the diarrhea, the person’s health status, the symptoms and the type of diarrhea they have.
Furthermore, it is important that in addition to medication, a diet with astringent foods is followed to prevent diarrhea from worsening, in addition to increasing fluid consumption to avoid dehydration.
If diarrhea is accompanied by other symptoms, such as intense fever and the presence of blood in the stool, it is important to consult your general practitioner or pediatrician to evaluate the symptoms, identify the cause and advise the most appropriate treatment.
See the following video for other warning signs and symptoms to consult a general practitioner or pediatrician:
7 pharmacy remedies for diarrhea
Some of the medicines that your doctor may prescribe for diarrhea are:
1. Loperamide
Loperamide is a medication that reduces peristaltic movements in the intestine, increasing intestinal transit time and causing feces to remain in the intestine longer, thus allowing the absorption of a greater amount of water, leaving feces less liquid. Furthermore, it also increases the tone of the anal sphincter, reducing the sensation of urgency and fecal incontinence.
This medicine can be used to treat acute or chronic diarrhea, as long as the person does not have an associated infection.
Examples of business names: Some medications that contain loperamide are Diasec, Intestin, Imosec or Kaosec, for example.
How to drink: Loperamide must be taken orally and the normally recommended initial dose is 4 mg, and then 2 mg after each episode of diarrhea, up to a maximum of 16 mg per day, that is, 16 mg every 24 hours. Find out how to take loperamide correctly.
Side effects: Generally, loperamide is well tolerated, however, side effects such as increased intestinal gas, constipation, nausea and dizziness may occur.
Who shouldn’t use: Loperamide should not be used in cases of bloody diarrhea, high fever, intoxication, and in cases where symptoms worsen despite receiving treatment. This medicine should also be avoided in people allergic to opioids or any other component of the formula.
2. Racecadotril
Racecadotril is a medicine that works by making stools more solid by reducing excessive secretion of water and electrolytes by the intestine, helping to stop diarrhea. This remedy does not interfere with bowel movements, but it helps to improve acute diarrhea.
Examples of business names: Some medicines with racecadotril in their composition are Avide and Tiorfan, for example. Learn how to use racecadotril.
How to use: the normally recommended starting dose for adults is 100 mg every 8 hours, preferably before breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dose for children depends on body weight and should be guided by the pediatrician. This medicine should not be taken for more than 7 days.
Side effects: Some of the most common side effects that can occur with the use of racecadotril are headache and skin redness.
Who shouldn’t use: racecadotril should not be used in cases of bloody diarrhea, fever and diarrhea caused by the use of antibiotics. This remedy should also not be used by people who are allergic to any component of the formula.
3. Saccharomyces boulardii
This medicine can be used as an aid in the treatment of diarrhea of different causes. It is a probiotic, which means it is a live microorganism that contributes to intestinal bacterial balance, controlling diarrhea.
Examples of business names: some medicines that have Saccharomyces boulardii in the composition are Floratil and Repoflor, for example.
How to use: the normally recommended doses of Saccharomyces boulardii for adults, whether in the form of capsules or granules for oral suspension, it is 250 to 500 mg every 24 hours, divided into 2 daily doses, one in the morning and one in the evening. For children, doses should be advised by the pediatrician according to the child’s age and weight.
Side effects: Generally, this medicine is well tolerated and there are no side effects, however, in some children or newborns, a yeasty smell may be felt in the stool, without any harmful effects.
Who shouldn’t use: This probiotic should not be used by people with serious illnesses or who have a weakened immune system. Furthermore, it should be avoided by people who are allergic to yeast.
4. Spores Bacillus closure
The spores of Bacillus closure is another type of probiotic that helps regulate and maintain the balance of the intestinal microbiota, and can be indicated to help alleviate or prevent diarrhea.
In addition to the spores of Bacillus closure It’s from Saccharomyces boulardii, There are other probiotics that can be used to regulate intestinal flora, such as Florax, Repoflor, Bifilac or Bidrilac, for example.
Examples of business names: the main spore-containing probiotic of Bacillus closure is Enterogermina.
How to use: the normally recommended dose for adults is 1 to 3 vials of Enterogermina per day, orally, at intervals of 3 to 4 hours, which can be taken directly from the vial or diluted in water, juice, milk or tea, for example. Before using Enterogermina, the bottle must be shaken well and consumed immediately after opening.
Side effects: This probiotic is generally well tolerated and no side effects appear.
Who shouldn’t use: the spores of Bacillus closure should not be used by people who have a weakened immune system.
5. Oral rehydration solutions
During a diarrhea attack, it is very important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and oral rehydration solutions help to hydrate the body and replace electrolytes.
Examples of business names: Oral rehydration solutions can be purchased at pharmacies, under the trade names Floralyte, Hidrali, Pedialyte, Rehidrat or Hidraplex, for example.
How to use: Oral rehydration solutions must be used orally, and doses vary with age and, therefore, must be used according to the guidance of the pediatrician or general practitioner.
Side effects: Oral rehydration solutions are generally well tolerated, but can cause side effects such as rapid heartbeat, dizziness, weakness, high blood pressure or swelling in the feet or legs, these effects being generally caused by the sodium present in the composition of oral rehydration solutions.
Who shouldn’t use: Oral rehydration solutions should not be used by people who have paralytic ileus, intestinal obstruction or perforation, or uninterrupted vomiting. Furthermore, during pregnancy they should only be used with the advice of an obstetrician.
6. Nitazoxanida
Nitazoxanide is a medicine that can be indicated in cases of diarrhea caused by giardiasis, amoebiasis or cryptosporidiosis, or viral gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus or norovirus, for example, as it has antiparasitic and antiviral action.
This medicine can be found in the form of tablets or powder for oral suspension, and must be used under medical advice.
Examples of business names: some examples of medicines containing nitazoxanide are Annita, Irosê, Mínti, Tanisea or Asox, for example.
How to use: the dose of nitazoxanide for adults for the treatment of giardiasis, amoebiasis, cryptosporidiosis or viral gastroenteritis is 1 tablet of 500 mg or 0.375 mL (7.5 mg) per kg of body weight of the oral suspension, twice a day, for 3 days. Learn how to use nitazoxanide correctly.
Side effects: This medicine can cause side effects such as abdominal pain, colic, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, change in the color of urine and sperm to greenish yellow or allergic reactions.
Who shouldn’t use: nitazoxanide tablets should not be used by children under 12 years of age and the oral suspension should not be used by children under 1 year of age. Furthermore, this remedy should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women or by people with diabetes, liver failure, kidney failure or who are allergic to nitazoxanide or other components of the formula.
7. Lactase
Lactase is an enzyme that promotes the breakdown of lactose, which is a type of sugar present in milk and dairy products, mainly helping to prevent diarrhea, stomach pain and excess intestinal gas caused by lactose intolerance.
Examples of business names: This medicine can be found in the form of capsules, tablets or drops, with the names Lacday, Perlatte, Lactosil or Sensilatte, and should be used under the guidance of a gastroenterologist or nutritionist.
How to use: lactase should be ingested about 15 to 30 minutes before ingesting dairy products. Furthermore, depending on the type of lactase used, it can be dissolved in these foods, which facilitates the digestion of lactose. See how to use lactase.
Side effects: This medicine, in general, does not cause side effects. However, a serious allergic reaction may be triggered in people allergic to one of the components of the formula.
Who shouldn’t use: lactase should not be used by pregnant or lactating women or by people who have diabetes or galactosemia. Furthermore, it is contraindicated for people who are allergic to any of the components of the formula.
Remedies for childhood diarrhea
The most recommended remedies for diarrhea in children or babies are, mainly, probiotics. Furthermore, the doctor may also prescribe Tiorfan in a dose adapted for children.
In any case, these remedies should only be taken with a pediatrician’s advice and to avoid dehydration it is also recommended to drink oral serum, which can be purchased at the pharmacy or prepared at home. Learn more about the medicines used to treat diarrhea in children.
Home remedies for diarrhea
Home remedies that can be used to treat diarrhea are teas, juices, syrups or porridge with foods or medicinal plants, which have properties that help calm the intestine and stop diarrhea. Some examples of these home remedies are chamomile tea, apple syrup, guava tea or apple juice, for example. Learn how to prepare home remedies for diarrhea.
Furthermore, it is important to follow a diet low in fat and sugar, including easily absorbed foods with astringent properties, such as rice or carrots, for example, to help improve diarrhea.
When to go to the doctor
It is advisable to see a gastroenterologist or general practitioner when diarrhea contains blood or pus and is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or vomiting.
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It is also important to consult a doctor if diarrhea persists for more than 3 or 4 weeks, as it may be an indication of chronic diarrhea, which may be caused by food intolerances or inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis, for example.
