Effective Diarrhea Relief: Medications and Management

Anti-Motility Medications (Pharmacy Only)

These medications work by relaxing the smooth muscles in the intestinal wall, reducing bowel movements.

Loperamide + Co-phenotrope (Dhamotil)

Loperamide

• Indication: Symptomatic relief of acute or chronic diarrhea.
• Dose: Maximum 16mg daily. Limit use to less than 48 hours.
• Side Effects: Constipation, nausea, vomiting, bloating.
• Special Precautions (SPC):
  • Stop taking once diarrhea resolves (constipation may occur).
  • Take with food.

Co-phenotrope

• Indication: Acute diarrhea in adults.
• Dose: Maximum 8 tablets daily.
• Contraindications: Not for children under 12 years old.
• Special Precautions (SPC): May cause dizziness and drowsiness; do not drive or operate machinery.

Adsorbent Medications (General Sales List)

Adsorbents work by binding to viruses and bacteria that irritate the intestinal wall, helping to remove them from the body.

Activated Charcoal (AC)

• Indication: Diarrhea.
• Dose: Oral (PO) 3-4 capsules three times daily (TDS).
• Side Effects: Black stools.
• Contraindications: Not for children under 1 year old.
• Special Precautions (SPC):
  • Space 2 hours apart from any other medicine.
  • May stain stools black.

Kaolin

• Indication: Relief of diarrhea.
• Dose:
  • 3-5 years old: 1-2 teaspoons (5-10ml)
  • 6-12 years old: 2-4 teaspoons (10-20ml)
  • Over 12 years old: 4-8 teaspoons (20-40ml)

Adjunct Preparations for Diarrhea (General Sales List)

These preparations support the body's natural recovery process and address related symptoms.

Probiotics

Probiotics help restore good bacteria in the digestive tract and replenish gut microflora that may be killed by antibiotics.

Lacteol Fort

• Contains: Lactobacillus acidophilus LB strain.
• Indication: Symptomatic treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea.
• Dose:
  • Children and Elderly: 2 sachets initially, then 1 sachet twice daily (BD) for 2 days.
  • Adults: 4 capsules initially, then 2 capsules twice daily (BD).
• Special Precautions (SPC): Can be taken with or without food. Granules can be added to or given with food/water.

Electrolytes (Rehydration)

• Indication: To replace electrolyte loss due to diarrhea.
• Dose: 200-400ml after every loose stool.
• Contraindications: Severe dehydration.
• Special Precautions (SPC):
  • Reconstitute oral powder with boiled and cooled water.
  • Discard unused solution at the end of each day.

Anti-Spasmodic Agents (Pharmacy Only)

These agents have an anticholinergic effect, reducing involuntary movement of smooth muscles in the Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) to alleviate abdominal cramping.

Hyoscine Butylbromide (HB)

• Indication: Gastrointestinal Tract spasms.
• Dose: Maximum 60mg daily.
• Side Effects: Dry mouth.
• Special Precautions (SPC):
  • Swallow whole with enough liquid.
  • Should not be taken continuously daily or for long periods without knowing the cause of abdominal pain.

Mebeverine

• Indication: Gastrointestinal Tract spasm.
• Dose:
  • Immediate Release Tablets: 135mg three times daily (TDS).
  • Modified Release Tablets: 200mg twice daily (BD).
• Side Effects: Constipation.
• Special Precautions (SPC): Swallow tablets whole; do not chew or crush.