Drugs & Medication

An antidiarrhoeal drug is any medication which provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea.

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.