Contents:
- Medical Video: Statin Misinformation: Mayo Clinic Radio
- What are the options for diarrhea medication at the pharmacy?
- 1. Loperamide (Imodium)
- 2. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol®)
- 3. Attapulgite
Medical Video: Statin Misinformation: Mayo Clinic Radio
Diarrhea is a digestive disorder that causes you to often defecate with liquid stool. In one hour, you can even go back and forth to the toilet many times when you have diarrhea. If not treated immediately, diarrhea can cause dehydration to even death, although rarely. Apart from fulfilling fibrous foods and drinking lots of water, you can also take diarrhea medication from the nearest pharmacy.
What are the options for diarrhea medication at the pharmacy?
1. Loperamide (Imodium)
One of the most common diarrhea drugs is loperamide (Imodium). This drug works to slow down the motion of the intestine to produce a denser stool texture. In addition, loperamide also prevents dehydration by reducing the amount of body fluids that come out.
Loperamide is available in capsules, chewable tablets and liquid medicines (syrup). For cases of acute diarrhea, take 4 mg of the drug after the first BAB and continue 2 mg every time after defecation onwards. Do not exceed 16 mg in 24 hours. The drug dose should not exceed 8 mg per 24 hours for chewable tablets.
2. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol®)
Bismuth subsalicylate is a diarrhea drug that works to slow the development of diarrhea-causing bacteria.
The bismuth drug strengthens the lining of the stomach and small intestine thanks to the content of the cytoprotective agent. This drug is also able to relieve nausea.
Avoid using bismuth subsalicylate if your stool contains blood or mucus.
3. Attapulgite
Attapulgite is a substance contained in several diarrhea drugs. Attapulgite works to stimulate the intestines to absorb more water so that the texture of your stool will be much denser. Abdominal pain due to diarrhea will also gradually recover after taking this medicine.
You can drink attapulgite before or after meals, just choose one. Side effects caused by attapulgite are constipation and flatulence. Don't forget to keep drinking lots of water to prevent dehydration during diarrhea.
If your condition does not improve in more than two days, or even worsens after taking diarrhea medication, consult your doctor immediately.
