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.
Racecadotril
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Racecadotril is an antidiarrheal drug which acts as a peripherally acting enkephalinase inhibitor.[1] Unlike other medications used to treat diarrhea, which reduce intestinal motility, racecadotril has an antisecretory effect—it reduces the secretion of water and electrolytes into the intestine.[2] It is available in France (where it was first introduced in 1993 and is widely used) and other European countries, as well as most of South America and some South East Asian countries, but not in the United States. It is sold under the tradename Hidrasec.
A small randomized controlled trial found racecadotril to significantly reduce the duration and volume of watery diarrhea in children when given as an adjunct to oral rehydration therapy.[3]
References
References
- ↑ Matheson AJ, Noble S. Racecadotril. Drugs. 2000 Apr;59(4):829-35. PMID 10804038
- ↑ (2001) “Racecadotril: an Antidiarrhoeal Suitable for Use in Infants and Young Children”. Drug Ther Perspect 17 (8): 1–5. Free full text with registration at Medscape
- ↑ Salazar-Lindo E, Santisteban-Ponce J, Chea-Woo E, Gutierrez M (2000). “Racecadotril in the treatment of acute watery diarrhea in children”. N. Engl. J. Med. 343 (7): 463–7. PMID 10944563.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]