Diarrhea Remedies: Pharmacy and Homemade Options

There are several medications that can be used to treat diarrhea, which have different mechanisms of action, which are prescribed according to the cause of diarrhea, the person’s health, symptoms and the type of diarrhea they have.

In addition to the medicines it is also important to diet with astringent foods to avoid worsening diarrhea, and increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration.

If diarrhea is accompanied by other symptoms, such as intense fever and blood presence, it is important to consult the general practitioner, pediatrician or gastroenterologist, to identify the cause and guide the most appropriate treatment.

Watch the following video, other warning signs and symptoms to consult a general clinician or pediatrician:

7 Pharmacy Remedies for Diarrhea

Some of the medicines that the doctor can prescribe for diarrhea are:

1. Loperamida

Loperamide is a drug that reduces bowel movements, causing feces to stay longer in the gut, thus providing the absorption of a larger amount of water, leaving the feces less liquid.

In addition, Loperamide also increases the tone of the anal sphincter, reducing the sense of urgency and fecal incontinence.

This medicine can be used to treat acute or chronic diarrhea as long as the person does not have an associated infection.

Examples of trade names: Some drugs that have Loperamide in the composition are DiaSec, Intestin, Imosec or Kaosec, for example.

How to take: Loperamide should be taken orally and the normally recommended initial dose is 4 mg, and then 2 mg after each diarrhea episode, up to a maximum of 16 mg per day, ie 16 mg every 24 hours. Learn how to take the Loperamide correctly.

Side Effects: Generally, Loperamide is well tolerated, however, side effects such as increased intestinal gases, constipation, nausea and dizziness may occur.

Who should not use: Loperamide should not be used in cases of blood diarrhea, high fever, intoxication, and in cases where symptoms occur, despite receiving treatment.

This medicine should also be avoided in people allergic to opioids or any other component of the formula.

2. Racecadotril

Racecadotrila is a remedy that acts making the stools more solid by reducing excessive water and electrolytes by the gut, helping to stop diarrhea.

This medicine does not interfere with intestinal movements, but allows you to improve acute diarrhea.

Examples of trade names: Some drugs with racecadotriber in the composition are Avide and Tiorfan, for example. Learn how to use racecadotrila.

How to use: The normally recommended initial dose for adults is 100 mg every 8 hours, preferably before breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The dose for children depends on body weight and should be oriented by the pediatrician. This medicine should not be taken for more than 7 days.

Side Effects: Some of the most common side effects that may occur with the use of racecadotril are headache and redness of the skin.

Who should not use: Racecadotril should not be used in cases of diarrhea with blood, fever and diarrhea caused by the use of antibiotics. This medicine should not be used by people who have any component of the formula either.

3. Saccharomyces boulardii

This medicine can be used as an aid in the treatment of diarrhea of ​​different causes. It is a probiotic, which means it is a living microorganism that contributes to the intestinal bacterial balance, controlling diarrhea.

Examples of trade names: some medications that have Saccharomyces boulardii In the composition are Floratil and Repoflor, for example.

How to use: the normally recommended doses of Saccharomyces boulardii For adults, whether in the form of capsules or granules for oral suspension, it is 250 to 500 mg every 24 hours, divided into 2 daily doses, one in the morning and one at night.

For children, doses should be oriented by the pediatrician according to the age and weight of the child.

Also read: FLORATIL: What is it for, how to take and dosage

tuasaude.com/floratil

Side Effects: Generally, this medicine is well tolerated and do not manifest side effects, however in some children or newborns you can smell yeast in the stool without any harmful meaning.

Who should not use: This probiotic should not be used by people with serious diseases or who have the immune system weakened. In addition, it should be avoided by people who have yeast allergy.

4. Bacillus clausii

The spores of Bacillus clausii It is another type of probiotic that helps regulate and maintain the balance of the gut microbiota and can be indicated to help relieve or prevent diarrhea.

Beyond the spores of Bacillus clausii and from Saccharomyces boulardii, There are other probiotics that can be used to regulate intestinal flora, such as florax, repoflor, bifilac or bidrilac, for example.

Examples of trade names: the main probiotic containing spores of the Bacillus clausii It is enterogermina.

How to use: The normally recommended dose for adults is 1 to 3 vials or sachets of enterogermina per day orally at intervals of 3 to 4 hours.

Enterogermine can be taken directly from the bottle or sachet or even diluted in water, for example. Before using enterogermina, the bottle should be stirred well and consume immediately after opening.

Also read: Enterogermina: What is it, what it is for, types and how to take

tuasaude.com/enterogermina

Side Effects: This probiotic is usually well tolerated and no side effects.

Who should not use: the spores of Bacillus clausii It should not be used by people who have the immune system weakened.

5. Oral Rehydration Solutions

During a diarrhea crisis it is very important to drink many liquids to avoid dehydration, and oral rehydration solutions help to moisturize the body and replenish electrolytes.

Examples of trade names: Oral rehydration solutions can be purchased from pharmacies with Floralryte, Hydrali, Peialyte, Rehidrat or Hydraplex, for example.

How to use: Oral rehydration solutions should be used orally, and doses vary with age and, therefore, should be used according to the orientation of the pediatrician or general practitioner.

Also read: Peialyte: What is it for and how to take (Peialyte 45, Max and Children)

tuasaude.com/pedialyte

Side Effects: Oral rehydration solutions are usually well tolerated, but can cause side effects such as accelerated heartbeat, dizziness, weakness, high blood pressure or swelling in the feet or legs.

Who should not use: Oral rehydration solutions should not be used by people who have paralytic ileum, intestinal obstruction or perforation or vomiting without interruption. In addition, during pregnancy they should only be used with the obstetrician indication.

6. Nitazoxanida

Nitazoxanide is a remedy that can be indicated in cases of diarrhea caused by giardiasis, amoebiasis or cryptosporidosis, or viral gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus or noroviruses, for example, as it has antiparasitic and antiviral action.

This remedy can be found in the form of tablets or powder for oral suspension, and should be used with medical indication.

Examples of trade names: Some examples of remedies containing Nitazoxanide are annita, Irosê, Minti, Tanisea or Asox, for example.

How to use: Nitazoxanide dose for adults for the treatment of giardiasis, amoebiasis, cryptosporidosis or viral gastroenteritis is 1 500 mg tablet or 0.375 ml (7.5 mg) per kg body weight of oral suspension 2 times a day for 3 days. Learn how to use Nitazoxanide correctly.

Side Effects: This remedy can side effects such as abdominal pain, colic, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, urine color change and sperm to greenish yellow or allergic reactions.

Who should not use: Nitazoxanide tablets should not be used by children under 12 and oral suspension should not be used by children under 1 year.

In addition, this medicine should not be used by pregnant women, lactating women or people with diabetes, liver failure, renal failure or allergies to Nitazoxanide or other components of the formula.

7. Lactase

Lactase is an enzyme that promotes lactose breaking, which is a type of sugar present in milk and dairy products, mainly helping to prevent diarrhea, stomach pain and excess intestinal gases caused by lactose intolerance.

Examples of trade names: This medicine can be found in the form of capsules, compresses or drops, with the names lacDay, perlatte, lactosil or sensilatte, and should be used with guidance from gastroenterologist or nutritionist.

How to use: Lactase should be eaten about 15 to 30 minutes before eating dairy products. In addition, depending on the type of lactase used, it can be dissolved in these foods which facilitates the digestion of lactose. See how to use lactase.

Side Effects: This medicine generally does not cause side effects. However, a severe allergic reaction to people allergic to one of the components of the formula may be triggered.

Who should not use: The lactase should not be used by pregnant women, lactating women or people who have diabetes or galactosemia. In addition, it is contraindicated for people who have allergies to any of the components of the formula.

Remedies for Children’s Diarrhea

The most suitable remedies for diarrhea in children or babies are mainly probiotics. In addition, the doctor can also prescribe Tiorfan at a dose adapted for children.

Anyway, these remedies should only be taken with the pediatrician indication and to avoid dehydration it is also recommended to drink oral serum, which can be bought in the pharmacy or be prepared at home. Learn more about the drugs used to treat diarrhea in children.

Home Remedies for Diarrhea

Home remedies that can be used to treat diarrhea are teas, juices, syrups or porridge with food or medicinal plants, which have properties that help calm the intestines and stop diarrhea.

Some examples of these home remedies are chamomile tea, apple syrup, guava tea or apple juice, for example. Learn how to prepare home remedies for diarrhea.

In addition, it is important to have a poor fat and sugar diet, including easy -to -absorb foods with astringent properties such as rice or carrots, for example to help improve diarrhea.

Check out the following video some tips that can help stop the fastest diarrhea:

When to go to the doctor

It is advisable to go to a gastroenterologist or general practitioner when diarrhea has blood or pus and if accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or vomiting.

Make an appointment with the expert closer to you, using the following tool:

It is also important to consult the doctor if diarrhea persists for more than 3 or 4 weeks, because it may be an indicative of chronic diarrhea, which can be caused by food intolerances or inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis, for example.