Tablets And Medicines For Diarrhea: 5 Effective And 8 Inexpensive

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 02:10

Pills and medicines for diarrhea in adults

What to take for diarrhea?

For diarrhea, drugs from various drug groups are taken. It all depends on what exactly is the cause of the stool disorder.

Types of medicines that can be used to treat diarrhea:

• Preparations with an adsorbing effect: activated carbon, Polyphepan, Polysorb.
• Astringent drugs: bismuth nitrate.
• Starch has enveloping properties.
• Preparations that allow to normalize the intestinal microflora: Acipol, Bifiform, Hilak Forte.
• Antidiarrheal drugs: Loperamide, Imodium, Smecta.
• Preparations with an antiseptic effect: Enterofuril, Furazolidone.
• Drugs to stop diarrhea by slowing down intestinal motility: Atropine.

Content:

• Inexpensive pills for diarrhea
• Effective diarrhea pills
• Probiotics for diarrhea
• When should you see a doctor for diarrhea?

If the patient is diagnosed with infectious diarrhea, which was provoked by the bacterial flora, then he is shown taking intestinal antiseptics. If you have diarrhea caused by irritable bowel syndrome, you should take drugs to reduce your bowel movements. Often, the doctor simultaneously prescribes drugs from several drug groups, for example, adsorbents, probiotics, and bismuth preparations.

Cause of diarrhea	Group of drugs	Name of the medicinal product
The bacterial nature of diarrhea	To destroy the bacterial intestinal flora, intestinal antiseptics are required. To remove toxins from the body, adsorbents are prescribed. To prevent the development of dysbiosis, probiotics are prescribed. Rehydration therapy is necessary to prevent dehydration.	Intestinal antiseptic: Sumetrolim, Enterofuril, Dependal-M. Preparations with adsorbing properties: activated or white carbon, smectite, Diosmectite.
The viral and parasitic nature of diarrhea	To remove toxins from the body, adsorbents are prescribed. Probiotics are prescribed to restore the intestinal flora. Inhibitors of intestinal secretion are prescribed to stop severe diarrhea accompanied by signs of dehydration. In parallel, rehydration therapy is carried out.	Adsorbents: Carbopect, colloidal silicon dioxide. Intestinal secretion blockers: Platyphyllin, Meteospazmil. Rehydration preparations: Hydrovit, Rehydron.
Diarrhea of non-infectious origin	To reduce the permeability of the intestinal wall, drugs with an astringent effect are prescribed.	Coating and astringent preparations: Almagel, Neointestopan, Tannacomp.
Diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome	To stop severe diarrhea, antidiarrheal drugs are used that are of synthetic origin. To reduce the activity of intestinal motility, antidiarrheal drugs are prescribed, which have a plant basis, as well as tricyclic antidepressants.	Preparations for stopping diarrhea with a synthetic base: Imodium plus, Loperamide. Tricyclic antidepressants: Amitriptyline. Preparations for stopping diarrhea, which have a plant basis: blueberries and bird cherry (berries), oak bark extract.
Diarrhea against the background of dysbiosis after taking antibacterial drugs	To stop diarrhea, drugs are used to normalize the intestinal flora.	Probiotics: Enterol, Linex, Bifidumbacterin, Lactulose, Colibacterin, Acylact, Bifiform.

Sometimes, to get rid of diarrhea, it is enough just to stop eating a certain food. So, you should exclude dairy products with lactase deficiency. If celiac disease is diagnosed, then you need to give up foods that contain gluten. People with a diagnosis of phenylketonuria should not eat all foods containing phenylalanine.

Inexpensive pills for diarrhea

Loperamide

Loperamide is available in both tablets and capsules. This is an inexpensive domestic drug that is used to treat diarrhea in adult patients.

After taking Loperamide, intestinal motility slows down, so food stays in the lumen of the organ longer. Reducing the permeability of the intestinal walls also helps to eliminate diarrhea. After taking the drug, the person quickly feels relief.

Loperamide helps stop diarrhea, no matter what the cause.

The medicine has a number of restrictions for use: age under 4 years old, carrying a child, renal failure, constipation.

The maximum daily dose for an adult is 16 mg. In case of an overdose, immediate administration of Naloxone is indicated.

Pros:

• Affordable price;
• Several forms of release;
• Fast effect.

Minuses:

• The presence of an impressive list of contraindications and side effects;
• Lack of treatment options for pregnant women and children;
• The need for medical advice before using the drug.

Loperamide price: from 10 to 100 rubles. Drug analogues: Lopedium, Diara, Stoperan.

Activated carbon

Activated carbon is a drug with powerful adsorbing properties. The medicinal product is of organic origin. "Cleaning" the intestines is possible due to the porous structure of coal, which allows it to absorb toxins like a sponge.

In addition to removing harmful substances from the intestines, activated charcoal reduces gas formation and prevents further diarrhea.

Activated charcoal comes in the form of tablets that must be taken before eating. The maximum duration of treatment is a week. If necessary, the course can be repeated.

Perhaps gastric lavage with a solution of activated carbon (it must first be ground into powder and dissolved in water).

Pros:

• Affordable price;
• Time-tested healing effect;
• The ability to quickly remove toxic substances from the body;
• Natural base;
• The drug has no traumatic effect on the intestines.

Minuses:

• The need to take a large number of tablets at a time;
• Stool staining black;
• In addition to toxins, the drug is able to remove its own microflora from the intestine, which is associated with the risk of developing dysbiosis and nutritional deficiencies;
• Long-term use of the drug threatens the development of constipation and exhaustion.

The price of activated carbon is about 50 rubles.

Phthalazole

Phthalazole is an antibacterial drug from the sulfonamide group. This drug is effective against most bacteria that cause intestinal infections with diarrhea. The drug acts purposefully, helps to reduce the local inflammatory response.

Phthalazole can be purchased in tablet and powder form. The duration of the course of treatment is determined by the doctor. The maximum daily dose is 7 g.

Pros:

• Affordable price;
• Reducing the severity of local inflammation by reducing the migration of leukocytes and partial stimulation of the production of glucocorticosteroids;
• Providing a local therapeutic effect in the intestinal lumen.

Minuses:

• The presence of contraindications and side effects;
• The impact not only on the pathogenic, but also on its own intestinal microflora, which is associated with a high risk of developing dysbiosis;
• The likelihood of developing bacterial resistance to the drug;
• Lack of the possibility of treatment in childhood (up to 5 years), as well as in patients with diseases of the hematopoietic, urinary and hepatobiliary systems.

The price of Ftalazol is about 50 rubles.

Tetracycline

Tetracycline is an antibacterial drug with a wide spectrum of action, so it can be used to treat infectious diarrhea.

The drug is taken at 0.25 g three times a day with water (the average dose for an adult with infectious diarrhea). The duration of the treatment course is determined by the doctor, most often it is 5-7 days.

It is highly desirable to use tetracycline only after the pathogenic microorganism has been identified, which led to the development of intestinal infection and diarrhea. The fact is that there are strains of bacteria that have developed resistance to this drug.

Do not combine Tetracycline with drugs containing metal ions, as well as drugs of the penicillin and cephalosporin groups, estrogen-containing oral contraceptives, retinol and chymotrypsin. After taking the drug, it is possible to develop an allergic reaction, various disorders of the digestive and nervous system. Treatment with Tetracycline should be combined with taking probiotics, which will prevent the development of dysbiosis.

During the use of tetracycline, the risk of developing photosensitization increases, so patients should be careful about spending time in the sun.

Pros:

• Low cost of the drug;
• Broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity.

Minuses:

• A large number of side effects and contraindications;
• The inability to use the drug simultaneously with dairy products;
• Strict adherence to dosage;
• The dependence of taking the drug on food intake (either on an empty stomach, or 2 hours after eating);
• Undesirable interaction with other drugs, the list of which is extensive;
• Lack of treatment for diarrhea in children under 8 years of age, in lactating and pregnant women.

The price of Tetracycline is about 100 rubles.

Sulgin

Sulgin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic from the sulfonamide group. When it enters the intestine, the main active ingredient contributes to the death of pathogenic flora sensitive to it, inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli. It can be used to treat diarrhea associated with colitis, enterocolitis, typhoid fever, dysentery.

The drug is not prescribed for children under 6 months of age, as well as during pregnancy and lactation. The average dose for an adult is 1-2 g. The course of treatment most often lasts a week, although at the discretion of the doctor it can be reduced. The maximum daily dose for an adult patient is 7 g, and a single dose is 2 g.

During treatment with Sulgin, the patient should receive at least 2 liters of water per day, which will prevent the formation of stones in the urinary tract.

Long-term use of the drug is associated with the risk of deficiency of B vitamins.

You should not combine Sulgin with oral contraceptives, novocaine, ascorbic acid and some other drugs.

Pros:

• Low cost of the drug;
• A wide range of antibacterial activity against microorganisms that provoke the development of diarrhea against the background of intestinal infection;
• The possibility of using the drug for the treatment of young children (over one year old);
• A small list of side effects.

Minuses:

• The need to take B vitamins during treatment with Sulgin;
• The need for large volumes of water (2-3 liters per day);
• Unwanted interactions with other drugs, which increases the risk of side effects.

Sulgin's price is about 100 rubles.

Levomycetin

Levomycetin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It copes well with infections that are caused by such pathogenic flora as Brucella, Escherichia, Shigella, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae. Levomycetin is indicated for intestinal infections of a bacterial nature.

The drug is taken before meals. If the diarrhea is severe, then the maximum daily dosage may be 1000 mg. However, treatment with such therapeutic doses should be carried out exclusively in a hospital room. While taking Levomycetin, it is necessary to control the blood and urine picture.

Levomycetin has a fairly extensive list of contraindications, for example, it cannot be used during pregnancy, with various pathologies of the kidneys, liver, hematopoietic system. The most common side effect is an allergic reaction. You can not combine the intake of Levomycetin and alcohol.

Pros:

• Affordable price;
• Time-tested effectiveness of the drug;
• Availability of several forms of release;
• A wide range of antibacterial activity;
• High bioavailability;
• Possibility of use in childhood, but not earlier than 4 weeks.

Minuses:

• An extensive list of contraindications and side effects;
• The need for hospitalization for treatment with large doses of the drug.

The price of Levomycetin is about 120 rubles.

Furazolidone

Furazolidone is a drug from the group of intestinal antibiotics. It has a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity, so it can be used in the treatment of infectious diarrhea and diarrhea caused by food poisoning.

The drug is available in the form of tablets that cannot be chewed, they are drunk whole, immediately after a meal. The duration of the therapeutic course is determined by the doctor, usually about 14 days. The average daily dose for an adult patient is 4 tablets.

You can not use Furazolidone to treat children under the age of three, pregnant women, patients with impaired functioning of the nervous and hepatobiliary system.

Taking the drug is associated with the development of allergic reactions and digestive disorders.

Pros:

• Affordable price;
• High antibacterial effect;
• The ability to treat most intestinal infections;
• The presence of a protective shell on the tablet, which allows the drug to begin to act in the intestine;

Minuses:

• The abundance of contraindications and side effects;
• The need for medical advice before starting an appointment;
• The inability to use the drug for the treatment of young children, pregnant women.

The price of Furazolidone varies from 100 to 150 rubles.

Effective drugs for diarrhea

Smecta

Smecta is a natural preparation that has an adsorbing effect. It quickly, effectively and safely removes toxic substances, viruses and bacteria from the intestines. In this case, the work of the organ itself is not disturbed.

The drug is available in powder form, before taking it is dissolved in water. The duration of treatment should not exceed 7 days. In case of an overdose, constipation develops.

Pros:

• High absorbent properties;
• Ease of use;
• Pleasant taste;
• Possibility of treatment in childhood;
• Effectiveness for diarrhea of almost any genesis;
• In addition to stopping diarrhea, Smecta allows you to eliminate other unpleasant symptoms, such as heartburn and abdominal pain.

Minuses:

• Relatively high price of the drug;
• The likelihood of skin rashes, especially in childhood.

Smekta's price is about 170 rubles.

Imodium

Imodium is an imported drug with the same main active ingredient as the domestic Loperamide. In addition, the composition of the drug is supplemented with aspartame, gelatin and sodium bicarbonate. Imodium has a pleasant mint taste and is available in the form of lozenges.

The drug is prescribed for diarrhea, which is of non-infectious origin. It is convenient to use when traveling, when the thinning and frequent stool is caused by climate change. You cannot take more than 4 tablets per day.

Pros:

• Convenient release form;
• Pleasant taste;
• Fast effect.

Minuses:

• High price;
• The presence of contraindications and side effects.

The price of Imodium is from 200 to 500 rubles.

Nifuroxazide

Nifuroxazide is a drug from the group of intestinal antibiotics. It has a pronounced antibacterial effect, allows you to fight most of the pathogenic flora.

After oral administration, the drug quickly penetrates into tissues and organs, which ensures its high efficiency in the fight against infectious diarrhea. In this case, the drug acts exclusively on the pathogenic flora, the intestinal bacterial biocenosis of its own remains intact.

The duration of the course of treatment is 7 days. The drug should be taken at regular intervals, 4 times a day. The average daily dose is 800 mg, but not more.

If treatment is required in childhood, then a dosage form in the form of a suspension should be chosen.

It is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol while taking the medicine.

Pros:

• Powerful antibacterial effect;
• Quick help with bacterial diarrhea;
• Targeted action on pathogenic flora with the preservation of "good" bacteria in the intestine;
• High bioavailability;
• The ability to use in childhood;
• Availability of several forms of release;
• No side effects and good drug tolerance by most patients.

Minuses:

• Relatively high price of the drug;
• Attachment to time intervals during treatment.

Preparations based on the same active ingredient: Ekofuril, Enterofuril, Mirofuril, Nifural, Stopdiar, Elufor.

The price of Nifuroxazide is 300-400 rubles.

Enterosgel

Enterosgel is an enterosorbent drug that is effective in treating various forms of diarrhea, regardless of the cause of the intestinal upset. The drug is available in the form of a paste, which has a slightly sweet taste.

Enterosgel is prescribed for food poisoning, poisoning with toxic substances, chemicals, poisons, for bacterial and viral diarrhea.

Enterosgel has no effect on the intestinal absorption of vitamins and microelements. Unlike other sorbents, the drug helps to restore intestinal microflora, so it can be used for diarrhea against the background of dysbiosis. Enterosgel is excreted from the body completely, unchanged. It can be used to treat children and adults, regardless of their age. It is recommended to take the drug by mouth 2 hours before or 2 hours after meals. The paste is washed down with a sufficient amount of water. If the patient has acute diarrhea, then the course of treatment is on average 5 days. With chronic diarrhea, therapy is carried out for 2-3 weeks.

Pros:

• Effectively removes all harmful substances from the body;
• It has a convenient form of release, which allows it to be used to treat children;
• Enterosgel can be combined with other medicines, taking a break of 1-2 hours;
• The drug has no contraindications.

Minuses:

• The high cost of the drug;
• The presence of side effects, although they are extremely rare: nausea, constipation, itching.

Enterosgel's price is about 400 rubles.

Intetrix

Intetrix is a drug for the treatment of diarrhea caused by amebiasis. The drug is produced in capsules. This intestinal antibiotic has a narrow focus, therefore it is used exclusively for irradiation of intestinal amoebas. Intetrix is used for acute and chronic forms of the disease.

Intetrix in the treatment of diarrhea against the background of intestinal damage by amoebae is not used as a monopreparation, it is used only in complex therapy with other drugs.

The course of treatment is 10 days, you will need to take 2 capsules 2 times a day. It is important to take the drug with a sufficient amount of water.

Pros:

• Effective treatment for amebiasis;
• Creation and maintenance of a high concentration of the main active substance in the intestinal lumen.

Minuses:

• The drug must be used in the complex therapy of amebiasis;
• The drug is used only for the treatment of adult patients;
• Intetrix is not prescribed for pregnant and lactating women;
• The drug can cause side effects, the leading of which is an allergic reaction.

The price of Intetrix is about 450 rubles.

Probiotics for diarrhea

Acylact

Acylact is a probiotic often used for diarrhea. It is available in the form of suppositories and tablets, as well as in the form of a lyophilisate. The preparation contains live acidophilic lactobacilli.

Acylact is effectively used for diarrhea, which was provoked by dysbiosis. The drug can be used prophylactically against the background of antibiotic treatment. It is also recommended for parasitic invasions, for example, for helminthiasis. Treatment with lyophilisate is possible for colitis and enterocolitis, as well as rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Taking the drug can reduce the severity of diarrhea and normalize the intestinal microflora. The tablets must be washed down with a sufficient amount of water, if a lyophilisate is used, then it is previously diluted with warm water. The average duration of treatment for diarrhea is two weeks.

The drug is not prescribed for children. The most common side effect is an allergic reaction. Acylact should be kept refrigerated.

Bifidumbacterin

Bifidumbacterin is one of the effective probiotics that helps restore intestinal microflora, therefore it is actively used for various forms of diarrhea. The composition of the drug includes live bifidobacteria and bifidogenic factor, which contributes to the growth of "useful" bacterial flora in the intestine.

The drug is safe for human health, it is prescribed even for newborn children.

Bifidobacteria, which are part of Bifidumbacterin, gradually colonize the intestines, contribute to the suppression of pathogenic flora, stabilize metabolic processes, increase local immunity, and better cope with intoxication of the body.

After taking Bifidumbacterin, diarrhea gradually begins to fade and completely disappears within 5-7 days. The drug is not prescribed for intestinal infections, food poisoning, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea caused by an allergic reaction, colitis and enteritis.

The drug has no contraindications, with the exception of individual intolerance to the components that make up it. It should be taken either with meals or half an hour before the start of the meal.

Bifidumbacterin has several forms of release: in suppositories, in capsules, in powder. The course of treatment can be quite long (up to several months), and if necessary, it can be repeated.

Pros:

• High efficiency and fast results;
• The possibility of using the drug for the treatment of newborn children and pregnant women;
• Good compatibility with other medicines.

Minuses:

• Relatively high price (if you need long-term treatment, you will have to spend an impressive amount);
• Specific storage conditions (can only be stored in the refrigerator);
• The likelihood of an allergic reaction.

The price of Bifidumbacterin varies from 200 to 500 rubles.

Lactobacterin

Lactobacterin is a preparation that comes in powder form and contains live lactobacilli. Reception of Lactobacterin promotes colonization of the intestine with beneficial bacteria, inhibition of the growth of pathogenic flora, enhancement of local immunity, and stopping diarrhea.

The drug is prescribed for intestinal infections of various origins, with dysbiosis while taking antibiotics. Lactobacterin has no side effects, allergic reactions are extremely rare. The drug can be used to treat children, nursing and pregnant women. The duration of the course is determined by the doctor. For children under 6 months old, Lactobacterin is diluted in breast milk.

Lactobacterin has a high antibiotic resistance, so it can be taken in conjunction with antibiotic therapy. Store the drug in the refrigerator.

Linex

Linex is an eubiotic drug that is available in capsules. Taking Linex allows you to restore the intestinal microflora, since the medicine contains several types of live lactic acid bacteria in its composition.

Linex helps to inhibit the growth and reproduction of pathogenic flora, ensures the correct functioning of digestive enzymes, increases the body's resistance to adverse environmental factors, and strengthens the immune system.

Linex is prescribed for upset stools, regardless of the cause that caused it: with food poisoning, with diarrhea provoked by intestinal infections and allergic reactions. In addition to eliminating diarrhea, Linex allows you to reduce flatulence, stop vomiting, nausea and belching, relieve abdominal pain.

The drug has practically no contraindications, except for hypersensitivity to the components that make up its composition. The drug can be used during pregnancy and lactation. Linex is taken after meals with water.

If children under three years old are being treated, then the capsule is pre-opened, the powder is diluted in a spoonful of water and offered to the child. Adults are prescribed 2 capsules 3 times a day.

Linex does not interact with other drugs, so it can be used as part of the complex therapy for diarrhea.

Do not combine taking the drug with alcoholic beverages or drink it with hot water.

Hilak Forte

Hilak forte is an effective Germanic antidiarrheal agent, produced in the form of drops. Taking the drug helps to normalize the intestinal microflora, preserves its physiological and biological functions, restores the normal level of acidity in the digestive tract.

Hilak forte can be used for diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics, gastroenteritis, colitis, allergies, salmonellosis. It is used effectively to treat "traveler's diarrhea" caused by climate change and exotic foods.

The drug can be used to treat children and pregnant women, as well as during breastfeeding. It has practically no contraindications, except for hypersensitivity to its components.

Hilak forte is well tolerated by patients of different ages. Allergic reactions in the form of itching and rashes are extremely rare. Do not take the drug at the same time with milk and products based on it. The drug does not require refrigeration.

Acipol

Acipol is a mixture of live acidophilic lactobacilli and kefir fungi. The drug is available in capsules. Their intake helps to normalize the intestinal flora, inhibits the growth and development of pathogenic microorganisms, and increases immunity.

Acipol is prescribed for diarrhea against the background of dysbiosis, for acute intestinal infections, for chronic colitis, rotavirus gastroenteritis. It is possible to use Acipol against the background of long-term antibiotic treatment to prevent diarrhea.

The capsule is washed down with boiled water at room temperature. It is recommended for adult patients to take 1 capsule 3 times a day. The duration of treatment for acute diarrhea is 8 days. If necessary, the doctor can increase this period to 15 days. The drug has no contraindications and side effects.

When should you see a doctor for diarrhea?

Diarrhea does not always require immediate medical attention. In some cases, it is possible to cope with it on its own.

However, there are situations in which medical assistance is indispensable:

• Stool with diarrhea becomes black, its consistency is liquid. This may indicate internal bleeding associated with gastric ulcer or Crohn's disease.
• With diarrhea, severe acute pain occurs, and bloating is observed. These symptoms may indicate acute pancreatitis in which enzyme deficiency develops.
• Stool with diarrhea contains fat, becomes light in color. This symptom often accompanies liver failure, which is characteristic of hepatitis or cirrhosis. Also, acute cholecystitis cannot be ruled out.
• Diarrhea develops with the intake of specific foods. In this case, allergies or enzyme deficiencies, such as celiac disease, can be suspected.
• Diarrhea occurs regardless of food intake, accompanied by increased gas production. It is possible that the patient has irritable bowel syndrome, which requires etiological treatment.
• With diarrhea, the stomach hurts and vomiting develops. Such symptoms are often companions of food poisoning, salmonellosis, intestinal infections.
• Against the background of diarrhea, dehydration develops. This is often observed with an infectious lesion of the body. Dehydration is a life-threatening condition that requires urgent hospitalization.

Author of the article: Alekseeva Maria Yurievna | Therapist

Education: From 2010 to 2016 Practitioner of the therapeutic hospital of the central medical-sanitary unit No. 21, city of elektrostal. Since 2016 she has been working in the diagnostic center No. 3.