How to treat diarrhea - Gastroenterology, proctology

Diarrhea is precisely the disease from which no one is actually immune. There are simply a huge number of reasons for its appearance in people of different ages, but the principle of therapy is approximately the same in absolutely any case of treatment of diarrhea.

An integral component of such therapy is taking specialized tablets for diarrhea. We will talk about their list in more detail in the material presented below.

The best drugs for diarrhea.

September 21, 2022
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Content

Causes of diarrhea
Types of diarrhea
8 effective remedies for diarrhea
Imodium Express
Loperamide
Smecta
Sulgin Avexima
Enterofuril
Polysorb MP
Linex
Furazolidone

No one is immune from diarrhea: children, adults and the elderly. The main danger of diarrhea is dehydration, although it is considered a protective reaction of the body. Let's look at the causes and types of this condition, and also consider the most effective drugs for treating diarrhea. Read also The most effective probiotics for the intestines: top 5 How to choose a probiotic and for what problems it is prescribed.

Tablets to relieve diarrhea

Imodium is the most effective gastrointestinal tonic.

As mentioned earlier, diarrhea tablets are an integral part of the treatment of any kind of diarrhea.

In addition to the above-mentioned glucose-saline solutions and the well-known Smecta, tablets are often used for diarrhea. The most effective of them are the following:

Probiotics. Prescribed benefits for intestinal dysbiosis and mild forms of diarrhea. They can also be used as prophylactic agents. The cost of such drugs ranges from 100 to 600 rubles, naturally, in the average range. Probiotic tablets operate on the principle of colonizing the gastrointestinal tract with beneficial microflora. Among the most effective probiotics are Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin and Linex.
Prebiotics. They have a similar effect to probiotics, but they do not populate the gastrointestinal tract with beneficial bacteria, but enhance their formation with synthetic substances. Among these drugs, it is worth highlighting Hilak-Forte, which has proven itself exclusively on the positive side.
Gastrointestinal tonics. They have a comprehensive effect on the condition of the stomach, relieving the symptoms of diarrhea and improving the patient’s condition. The most effective gastrointestinal tonic is Imodium.
Anti-infective drugs. Used for the treatment of infectious diarrhea. One of the best among such medications is Fthalazol.
Antibiotics. Required in rare cases to get rid of diarrhea of bacterial etiology. Perhaps the most effective drug for combating diarrhea in such cases is Levomycetin.

In addition to tablet medications that directly eliminate diarrhea, when treating this disease it is important to take immunostimulants, because diarrhea greatly weakens the body.

Do not forget that it is important to take all medications exclusively according to the instructions attached to them.

Causes of diarrhea

Diarrhea is when the stool becomes loose or watery instead of normal. This phenomenon occurs frequently and usually goes away on its own within a few hours without treatment. It is impossible to identify the cause of rapidly passing diarrhea.

If diarrhea lasts longer than one day, we can talk about viral gastroenteritis, when the intestines are infected by a certain virus. This condition is also called intestinal flu. Other possible causes of diarrhea include:

bacterial infection;
poisoning of the body with waste products of bacteria (toxins);
consumption of foods that disrupt the gastrointestinal tract;
intolerance to some foods (celiac disease, lactose intolerance) or allergies;
taking certain medications;
radiation therapy;
dyspepsia (problems with absorption of food).

There are several important criteria

things to look out for when it comes to diarrhea.

Causes of diarrhea.
This is the main point. If the cause of diarrhea is an infection, the body thus tries to remove toxins, which (the waste products of bacteria). Conventional strengthening drugs will only worsen the patient’s well-being, increasing intoxication. Infectious diarrhea requires antibiotics.
Patient's age.
If a child has diarrhea, then he needs medications in the form of syrup, drops or lozenges. Children have a poorly developed muscle layer and a narrow esophagus, so there is a risk of regular tablets getting into the respiratory tract. And many tablet drugs are contraindicated for children.

Causes and treatment of diarrhea
Photos from open sources
Read also:
Top 5 best sorbents for poisoning Rating of the most effective and safe sorbents that help with poisoning and hangover syndrome.

Overdose

If the dose of the drug is exceeded, the following symptoms of overdose may appear:

urinary retention;
intestinal obstruction;
constipation;
breathing problems;
nausea;
distraction;
increased muscle tone;
drowsiness;
constriction of the pupils.

A dose of 40-240 mg over 24 hours can lead to tachycardia up to complete cardiac arrest. If one or more symptoms of overdose occur, the heart rhythm should be examined for abnormalities through ECG monitoring.

Naloxone is used as an antidote under the strict supervision of the attending physician. You can read more about stomach diseases here:

Types of diarrhea

Diarrhea can be acute or chronic. Acute usually occurs due to infection and lasts no longer than two weeks. Among the causes of chronic diarrhea are irritable bowel syndrome, dietary habits, or a certain psycho-emotional state of a person.

Infectious diarrhea.
This condition is caused by both viruses (for example, rotavirus), bacteria (E. coli, salmonella, etc.) or protozoa. Infectious diarrhea often causes fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and deterioration in general health. You can often tell by looking at the stool which pathogen is present in the body. Greenish stool color is most likely salmonellosis, “raspberry jelly” stool is amoebic dysentery, etc. Usually, infectious diarrhea can be cured on your own. But if the condition only worsens, you need to consult a doctor.
Non-infectious diarrhea.
With such diarrhea there is usually no fever or abdominal pain. Non-infectious diarrhea is caused by stress, antibiotics, poor lifestyle and bad habits, vegetative-vascular dystonia, problems with the pancreas and diabetes. By the way, for diarrhea during antibiotic treatment, many doctors prescribe probiotics, but in fact, it is enough to simply consume more fermented milk products. Treatment for non-infectious diarrhea is to take pills that reduce bowel activity. Treatment with herbal remedies is also possible (gastrointestinal herbs, rose hips, oak bark, chamomile, etc.). It is important to normalize your lifestyle and try to be less nervous.

Since diarrhea removes a lot of fluid from the body, it is important to replenish it. And it’s better to drink rehydration solutions rather than water. If there is no appetite due to diarrhea, there is no need to eat (or force the child). If you have a normal appetite, it is better to follow a diet while you are treating diarrhea: liquid mashed potatoes, stewed vegetables, rice, light soups.

Read also How to treat dehydration: 5 solutions for rehydration What drugs for dehydration are most often prescribed by doctors?

Gastrolit and Regidron

Regidron contains 5 components.

The most dangerous consequence of diarrhea is dehydration or dehydration. With frequent bowel movements, the body loses a large amount of fluid.

When this loss exceeds 20%, irreversible consequences occur and the person becomes a victim of death.

The consequences of less significant dehydration may be the formation of blood clots due to blood thickening, metabolic disorders and the process of removing poisoning products from the body.

The first step in such a threat should be to call an ambulance and urgent hospitalization. To minimize the effects of dehydration, in addition to drinking plenty of fluids, it is recommended to use medications such as Gastrolit and Regidron. They include:

glucose,
sodium chloride,
potassium chloride,
sodium citrate (Rehydron),
or sodium bicarbonate (Gastrolit).

The drugs are taken only in the absence of vomiting. The contents of the medicine sachet are diluted with cool water, since a warm solution can provoke vomiting. To dilute a bag of Gastrolit you need 200 ml of water, and to dilute Regidron - 1 liter. It is recommended to drink this solution in small sips, little by little, but often.

If diarrhea is profuse, with significant loss of fluid, accompanied by vomiting, the drug may be ineffective and an emergency call will be required.

Imodium Express

For non-infectious diarrhea, Imodium Express is often prescribed, the active ingredient of which is loperamide. The drug has a strengthening effect and can be prescribed in the complex treatment of infectious diarrhea. You can buy Imodium in the form of lozenges - to make the drug work faster, the tablet can be placed under the tongue. So if diarrhea has started acutely and you need emergency help, pay attention to Imodium Express.

Imodium Express

Catalent UK Swindon Zaidis Limited / Janssen-Cilag S, UK / Italy

The anti-diarrhea remedy Imodium Express dissolves on the tongue in just 3 seconds, does not require drinking water and has a pleasant mint taste.
Imodium helps stop diarrhea from the first use: the proven formula of tablets for diarrhea (diarrhea) slows down the time it takes for contents to pass through the intestines. Imodium helps preserve the natural intestinal microflora, preventing it from being washed out during diarrhea. from 139

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Instructions for use

How to take Imodium Express correctly without crushing the fragile tablet:

pull the foil over the edge, freeing the cell with the tablet;
press the tablet from below without much effort and carefully remove it;
put the required dose on the tongue and wait for it to dissolve;
swallow the medicine with saliva (without drinking water).

Imodium lozenges are contraindicated in children under 6 years of age, as at this age it is difficult for them to swallow the drug. The dosage is as follows:

Imodium express for children over 6 years old:

For acute diarrhea. The first dose is 1 tablet of 2 mg, the rest - 2 mg after each loose stool.
For chronic diarrhea. The first dose is 1 tablet of 2 mg, the rest are adjusted depending on the frequency of normal stool. As a rule, this is from 2 to 12 mg per day, depending on the individual characteristics of the body.
The maximum dose for 24 hours is calculated by the formula: 3 tablets x 20 kg of weight, and it is prohibited to take more than 12 mg within 24 hours.
The drug is discontinued if the stool returns to normal or is completely absent within 12 hours.

For adults:

For acute diarrhea. The first dose is 2 tablets of 2 mg, the rest - 1 tablet of 2 mg after each loose stool.
For chronic diarrhea. The first dose is 2 tablets of 2 mg each, the rest are adjusted depending on the frequency of normal stool. As a rule, this is from 2 to 12 mg per day, depending on the individual characteristics of the body.
The maximum dose for 24 hours should not exceed 12 mg.
The drug is discontinued if the stool returns to normal or is completely absent within 12 hours.

Imodium Express can be purchased at the pharmacy in two forms: capsules or lozenges.

Imodium Express

Loperamide

In its action, Loperamide is identical to Imodium; it is also prescribed for functional intestinal disorders, when the cause of diarrhea is not an infection. But Loperamide, like other oral tablets, begins to act within 20 minutes. If you need a faster effect, it is better to choose “Loperamide” in capsules (there is powder inside, and the capsule itself is gelatin).

Loperamide

Grindeks, Latvia; OJSC "Nizhpharm", Russia; Biocom, Russia; Ozon LLC, Russia; Update, Russia; Veropharm / Lance-Pharm, Russia; JSC "Lekhim-Kharkov", Ukraine; Pharmacor Production LLC, Russia

Symptomatic treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea of various origins (allergic, emotional, medicinal, radiation; with changes in diet and quality of food, with metabolic and absorption disorders; as an adjuvant for diarrhea of infectious origin).
Regulation of bowel movements in patients with ileostomy. from 7

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Smecta

This anti-diarrhea drug is an enterosorbent. “Smecta” is sold in sachets, in the form of a powder that needs to be dissolved in water. If a child has diarrhea, you can buy Smecta with some flavor, which will make it easier for the baby to take. Prescribed remedy for heartburn, bloating and diarrhea. The medicine has virtually no side effects or contraindications.

Smecta

IPSEN (Bofur Ipsen), Ukraine

Symptomatic treatment of pain associated with diseases of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum;
intestinal colic; acute and chronic diarrhea (especially in children). from 100

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Sulgin Avexima

This is one of the most frequently prescribed remedies for infectious diarrhea, which has long been present on the Russian market. "Sulgin Avexima" perfectly suppresses the proliferation of pathogenic microflora. However, doctors do not recommend taking this drug for a long time, since it interferes with the absorption of vitamins and nutrients in the intestines. After a short course of treatment with this drug, it is recommended to take a vitamin complex. You can buy Sulgin Avexima with a prescription and only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Sulgin Avexima

JSC Avexima, Russia

Sulgin Avexima is an antimicrobial bacteriostatic agent.
The mechanism of action is due to antagonism with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and competitive inhibition of dihydropteroate synthetase, which leads to disruption of the synthesis of tetrahydrofolic acid, necessary for the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines. Inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli and reduces the synthesis of thiamine, riboflavin, and nicotinic acid in the intestines. SULGIN has a bacteriostatic effect on Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Proteus vulgaris. from 52

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Enterofuril

This antidiarrheal drug has a wide spectrum of action. Unlike other antimicrobial agents, Enterofuril does not suppress the beneficial intestinal microflora, but even restores it. The drug is sold in the form of a suspension, which is not absorbed into the blood, but works in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract, destroying the infection. That is why the medicine has minimal side effects. And do not be afraid of the rich shade of the drug - this is not a dye, but the natural color of the active substance - nifuroxazide.

Enterofuril

Bosnalek, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Enterofuril is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, a derivative of 5-nitrofuran.
Active against gram-positive microorganisms (Streptococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pyogenes, Clostridium), gram-negative enterobacteria - E. coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Vibrio cholerae, Campylobacter jejuni, Edwarsieila, Citrobacter, Yersinia enterocolitica . from 212

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Intestinal antiseptics – only against bacteria

Alpha Normis enjoys good reviews.

This group of drugs for treating diarrhea is not effective if the stool disorder is caused by viruses.

Antiseptics are not absorbed through the intestinal walls, do not have side effects such as dysbacteriosis, are effective against bacteria, and have a minimum of contraindications. The most common drugs from this group:

Enterofuril (stopdiar, nifuroxazide) – does not disrupt beneficial microflora and destroys pathogenic microbes. The drug is not recommended for pregnant women, during lactation, children during the neonatal period, or combined with alcohol consumption.
Alpha Normix - its effectiveness is even higher than that of the previous drug. Side effects are practically not encountered in practice; it is contraindicated in children under 2 years of age, nursing and pregnant women, and patients with duodenal ulcers.
Intetrix - most often used for fungal diarrhea and “traveler's diarrhea”. The drug can be used to prevent diarrhea during stay in dangerous regions.

Polysorb MP

The anti-diarrhea drug “Polysorb MP” is an enterosorbent that binds to toxins in the gastrointestinal tract and helps them exit the body. Such products are distinguished by the fact that they are not absorbed into the blood, so they practically do not cause “side effects”. Allergic reactions and disruption of the synthesis of vitamins in the gastrointestinal tract are only sometimes possible (and only if the drug is taken for more than two weeks). You can buy Polysorb MP in the form of a powder that is diluted in water. "Polysorb MP" for diarrhea can be taken by children, pregnant and lactating women, as well as the elderly.

Polysorb MP

CJSC "Polysorb", Russia

Acute and chronic intoxication of various etiologies in children and adults;
— acute intestinal infections of various etiologies, including foodborne toxic infections, as well as diarrheal syndrome of non-infectious origin, dysbacteriosis (as part of complex therapy); - purulent-septic diseases accompanied by severe intoxication; - acute poisoning with potent and toxic substances, incl. medications and alcohol, alkaloids, salts of heavy metals; — food and drug allergies; - hyperbilirubinemia (viral hepatitis and other jaundices) and hyperazotemia (chronic renal failure); - residents of environmentally unfavorable regions and workers of hazardous industries for the purpose of prevention. from 43

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Contraindications

The drug has the following contraindications:

intolerance or allergic reaction of the body to one or more components included in the medicinal product;
age less than 6 years;
the first 3 months of pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding;
violation of amino acid metabolism;
bloody stools accompanied by fever;
inflammatory disease of the colon mucosa;
bacterial inflammation of the intestines;
constipation, bloating and intestinal obstruction.

Particular caution should be exercised by people with impaired liver function.

Linex

Linex is sold without a prescription and is available in the form of drops, powder and capsules. This is a probiotic that contains live bacteria L. Acidophilus, B. infantis and E. Faecium. They are quite enough to normalize the intestinal microflora and improve bowel movements. "Linex" is prescribed in the complex therapy of microbial and viral intestinal infections, as well as after treatment with antibiotics. Remember that the drug is incompatible with alcohol and should not be washed down with hot liquid.

Linex

Sandoz (Sandoz), Germany; Lek Pharmaceuticals dd., Slovenia

Linex is a combination drug containing 3 different types of lyophilized viable lactic acid bacteria from different parts of the intestine, which are part of the normal intestinal flora, maintain and regulate the physiological balance of the intestinal microflora.
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Furazolidone

You can buy “Furazolidone” (with the active ingredient of the same name) for diarrhea without a prescription; the drug is available in tablet form. This antimicrobial agent effectively fights pathogens in the intestines, as well as protozoa. Furazolidone has a wide spectrum of antimicrobial action and also strengthens the immune system. The drug is prescribed for dysentery, microbial infections, and for diarrhea with giardiasis. Contraindications: pregnancy, breastfeeding, age under 3 years, severe kidney disease. As for side effects, we recommend that you carefully read the instructions for the drug.

Furazolidone

JSC Avexima, Russia; Marbiopharm, Russia; "Moskhimfarmpreparaty" named after. N. A. Semashko, Russia; YuzhPharm, Russia; Update, Russia; JSC Dalkhimfarm, Russia; OJSC Borisov Plant of Medical Preparations (Borimed), Belarus

Furazolidone is an antibacterial drug.
Used for the treatment of patients with infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system, and skin, in particular: bacillary dysentery, typhoid, paratyphoid, enterocolitis, giardiasis, diarrhea of infectious etiology, food poisoning, trichomonas infection, including trichomonas colpitis , as well as vaginitis, urethritis, cystitis and pyelitis, patients with infected wounds and burns. from 36

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