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May 26, 2024 · Learn how to stop diarrhea with fluids, probiotics, and diet changes. Find out when to use over-the-counter or prescription drugs, and what side effects to watch out for.
- Overview
- Over-the-counter diarrhea medications
- Prescription diarrhea medications
- Who should not take diarrhea medications?
- First aid for diarrhea
- Frequently asked questions about diarrhea medications
- Takeaway
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If you have chronic diarrhea, you may need to make certain diet and lifestyle changes. But sometimes, you may also need diarrhea medications to help lessen its effects.
You can take either over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications for diarrhea, depending on your symptoms and overall health.
Loperamide
Loperamide (Imodium) is an antidiarrheal medication that’s made of lactose, cornstarch, talc, and magnesium stearate. It comes in 2-milligram (mg) capsules and is usually taken in a 4 mg dose after the first stool for people 12 years and older, followed by 2 mg after each subsequent loose stool, up to a total of 8 mg in a 24-hour period. Imodium helps slow down muscle contractions in your intestines so that stool doesn’t move through so quickly. This helps your intestines absorb water and other nutrients from your stool so that it hardens and so that you don’t become dehydrated. Imodium is intended for people 2 years old and older. Different formulations are available for children up to 12 years old.
Bismuth subsalicylate
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate) uses bismuth and salicylic acid to help stop the causes of diarrhea in the stomach by: •killing infectious bacteria and other microbes •better absorbing fluids •reducing inflammatory responses •healing tissues in the stomach Don’t use this medication if you’re allergic to salicylate, which is also found in aspirin. It’s also known to interact with medications for: •diabetes •arthritis •gout •blood thinning Additionally, children and teenagers recovering from chicken pox or flu symptoms should not take Pepto-Bismol, due to the risks of developing Reye’s syndrome. Speak with a doctor before using bismuth subsalicylate to make sure you don’t experience any dangerous interactions or side effects from using it.
Alosetron
Alosetron (Lotronex) is used if you have a form of irritable bowel syndrome where diarrhea is one of the main symptoms (known as IBS-D). Alosetron helps reduce the activity of pain receptors that often result in diarrhea and other symptoms like abdominal cramping with IBS-D. You may experience some side effects from using alosetron, such as constipation. It can also keep blood from flowing to the large intestine.
Eluxadoline
Eluxadoline (Viberzi) is also used to treat IBS-D by treating pain receptors in the gut. Like alosetron, eluxadoline helps reduce the activity of pain receptors that can trigger diarrhea and other symptoms like: •irregular bowel movements (intestinal dysmotility) •digestion issues from a lack of secretion in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract •bowel pain and discomfort Eluxadoline is sometimes used instead of alosetron because it has fewer side effects. But more research is needed to determine how effective it is or who can safely use it without side effects or complications.
Rifaximin
Rifaximin (Xifaxan) is used to treat IBS-D and a condition called traveler’s diarrhea. This happens when you eat food or drink water with bacteria, viruses, or parasites that your body isn’t used to. Rifaximin is an antibiotic that helps kill a range of bacteria and other microbes that can trigger diarrhea, making it effective against many bacterial causes of diarrhea. But it’s not effective against diarrhea caused by viral infections, so it’s important to get diagnosed properly before using this prescription-strength diarrhea medication.
Closely follow a medication’s label and doctor’s prescription and recommendations. Not doing so can have dangerous side effects. Some children can have side effects from certain medications and should avoid them.
You also should not take diarrhea medications if you have:
•blood in your stool
•fever
•diarrhea that lasts more than a few days at a time
Check to see that you’re not allergic to any ingredients in an antidiarrheal medication before taking it. Get immediate medical help if you experience any of the following:
Here are some tips for managing long-term or severe diarrhea, especially if medications aren’t working well:
•Drink more water than usual to stay hydrated.
•eat a BRAT diet (bananas, rice, apples, and toast) to thicken stool
•consider getting intravenous (IV) fluids to hydrate yourself more effectively
•stop drinking caffeine or alcohol, which can trigger bowel movements and cause dehydration
•probiotics may potentially improve outcomes in people with diarrhea, however, more research is needed to verify how effective these are in managing diarrhea
Which diarrhea medications are available for adults?
Adults can take almost any diarrhea medication available as long as they aren’t allergic or a doctor recommends not taking it due to side effects. These include OTC loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate, and prescription alosetron, eluxadoline, and rifaximin.
Which diarrhea medication is available for kids?
Speak with your child’s doctor before you give any diarrhea medication to children younger than 13. Try home treatments or first aid before using any medications to treat diarrhea in babies or young children. Some forms of OTC bismuth subsalicylate, such as Kaopectate, can be effective for children with diarrhea.
Diarrhea medications can be an effective treatment for long-term or severe cases of diarrhea.
Speak with a doctor before you take diarrhea medications, especially if you’ve had diarrhea for several days or longer along with symptoms like pain, vomiting, or fever.
Learn about different types of diarrhea medications, how they work, and who should avoid them. Find out how to use them safely and when to seek medical help for diarrhea.
Dec 1, 2023 · Compare 44 drugs for diarrhea, including loperamide, bismuth subsalicylate, alosetron, and rifaximin. Find ratings, reviews, dosage, interactions, side effects, and more.
Drug NameRatingReviewsRx/otcExpand current row for information about ...7.9Rx/OTCExpand current row for information about ...7.9RxExpand current row for information about ...5.6Rx/OTCExpand current row for information about ...8.1Rx- Senior Editorial Pharmacist
People also ask
What are the most common medications for diarrhea?
Can diarrhea medications be used for long-term diarrhea?
What is the best treatment for acute diarrhea?
- Imodium A-D. Imodium A-D (loperamide) is an anti-diarrheal medication. It works by slowing down your intestines, which means fewer trips to the bathroom.
- Pepto-Bismol. Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) is used to treat diarrhea, upset stomach, and heartburn. It works by lessening inflammation (swelling) in the intestines.
- Kaopectate. Kaopectate (bismuth subsalicylate) is another popular choice to treat diarrhea for adults and children 12 years and older. It contains the same active ingredient as Pepto-Bismol.
- Probiotics. Probiotics are tiny living organisms that can be found in dietary supplements and some fermented foods, like yogurt. Probiotic products contain “good bacteria'' that are similar to those naturally living in our digestive tracts.
Nov 28, 2023 · Learn about the different types of medications for diarrhea, such as loperamide, bismuth subsalicylate, alosetron, eluxadoline, and rifaximin. Find out who should not take them, what side effects they may have, and what other options are available.
- Helen Millar
Aug 22, 2023 · Most cases of acute diarrhea clear on their own within a couple of days without treatment. If you've tried lifestyle changes and home remedies for diarrhea without success, your doctor might recommend medicines or other treatments.
May 3, 2024 · Learn about common OTC and prescription drugs for treating diarrhea, such as Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, and loperamide. Find out when to use them, how to take them, and what side effects to watch out for.
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related to: diarrhea medicineDrink Pedialyte® At The First Signs Of Diarrhea To Help Prevent Dehydration. Pedialyte® Can Help Alleviate Dehydration Symptoms Caused By Diarrhea. Try Today!
View Safety And Full Prescribing Information, Including Boxed Warning. Learn About How IBSRELA® Works Differently. Visit The Official Patient Website
