Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Antidiarrheals
Introduction
Overview
Overview
An antidiarrhoeal drug is any medication which provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea.
Types
Types
- Electrolyte solutions are used to replace lost fluids and salts in acute cases.
- Bulking agents like methylcellulose, guar gum or plant fibre (bran, sterculia, ispaghul, etc.) are used for diarrhoea in functional bowel disease and to control ileostomy output.
- Absorbents absorb toxic substances that cause infective diarrhoea, methylcellulose is an absorbent as well.
- Opiates slow intestinal transit, but Loperamide is most commonly used, since it doesn’t have the usual narcotic side effects.