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Medications for Diarrhea

Other names: Frequent bowel movements; Loose bowel movements; Watery stools

Diarrhea is defined as loose, watery, and frequent stools. Diarrhea is considered chronic (ongoing or prolonged) when you have had loose or frequent stools for longer than four weeks.

See also: sub-topics

Drugs used to treat Diarrhea

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
loperamide 8.1 34 reviews for loperamide to treat Diarrhea
Rx/OTC C N X

Generic name: loperamide systemic

Brand names:  Imodium, Imodium A-D, Anti-Diarrheal, Diamode, Up and Up Anti-Diarrheal Solution …show all

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Lomotil 7.9 47 reviews for Lomotil to treat Diarrhea
Rx C 5 X

Generic name: atropine / diphenoxylate systemic

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Imodium 6.8 8 reviews for Imodium to treat Diarrhea
Rx/OTC C N X

Generic name: loperamide systemic

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

atropine / diphenoxylate 8.1 65 reviews for atropine / diphenoxylate to treat Diarrhea
Rx C 5 X

Generic name: atropine / diphenoxylate systemic

Brand name:  Lomotil

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Imodium A-D 8.0 9 reviews for Imodium A-D to treat Diarrhea
Rx/OTC C N X

Generic name: loperamide systemic

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Anti-Diarrheal 10 2 reviews for Anti-Diarrheal to treat Diarrhea
Rx/OTC C N X

Generic name: loperamide systemic

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Pepto-Bismol 7.8 9 reviews for Pepto-Bismol to treat Diarrhea
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: bismuth subsalicylate systemic

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Florastor 6.1 16 reviews for Florastor to treat Diarrhea
OTC N N

Generic name: saccharomyces boulardii lyo systemic

Drug class: antidiarrheals, probiotics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

bismuth subsalicylate 8.3 12 reviews for bismuth subsalicylate to treat Diarrhea
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: bismuth subsalicylate systemic

Brand names:  Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate, Bismatrol, Bismarex, Bismatrol Maximum Strength, Peptic Relief, Pink Bismuth, Soothe Caplets …show all

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

codeine Off-label 9.4 17 reviews for codeine to treat Diarrhea
Rx C 2 X

Generic name: codeine systemic

Drug class: Opioids (narcotic analgesics), antitussives

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off-label: Yes

Diamode Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X

Generic name: loperamide systemic

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Kaopectate 10 2 reviews for Kaopectate to treat Diarrhea
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: bismuth subsalicylate systemic

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

rifaximin Off-label 8.2 6 reviews for rifaximin to treat Diarrhea
Rx C N

Generic name: rifaximin systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous antibiotics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Off-label: Yes

Up and Up Anti-Diarrheal Solution Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X

Generic name: loperamide systemic

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

neomycin 1.0 1 review for neomycin to treat Diarrhea
Rx D N

Generic name: neomycin systemic

Drug class: aminoglycosides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

saccharomyces boulardii lyo 6.0 25 reviews for saccharomyces boulardii lyo to treat Diarrhea
OTC N N

Generic name: saccharomyces boulardii lyo systemic

Brand names:  Florastor, Florastor Kids, Saccharomyces Boulardii+MOS

Drug class: antidiarrheals, probiotics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

opium 9.6 28 reviews for opium to treat Diarrhea
Rx C M X

Generic name: opium systemic

Drug class: Opioids (narcotic analgesics)

For consumers: interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Bismatrol Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: bismuth subsalicylate systemic

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

octreotide Off-label 7.5 2 reviews for octreotide to treat Diarrhea
Rx B N

Generic name: octreotide systemic

Drug class: somatostatin and somatostatin analogs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off-label: Yes

Bismarex Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: bismuth subsalicylate systemic

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Bismatrol Maximum Strength Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: bismuth subsalicylate systemic

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

crofelemer 10 1 review for crofelemer to treat Diarrhea
Rx C N

Generic name: crofelemer systemic

Brand name:  Mytesi

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Florastor Kids 1.0 1 review for Florastor Kids to treat Diarrhea
OTC N N

Generic name: saccharomyces boulardii lyo systemic

Drug class: antidiarrheals, probiotics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Mytesi Rate Add review
Rx C N

Generic name: crofelemer systemic

Drug class: antidiarrheals

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Pedialyte 1.0 1 review for Pedialyte to treat Diarrhea
OTC C N

Generic name: electrolyte replacement solutions systemic

Drug class: minerals and electrolytes

For consumers: side effects

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Diarrhea

Alternative treatments for Diarrhea

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Diarrhea. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Diarrhea.

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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