Anti-diarrheal medications can be helpful for adults experiencing diarrhea. Two common types are:
Loperamide (Imodium): Slows down food movement in the intestines, allowing the body to absorb more liquid
Bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol): Prevents intestinal secretion and promotes fluid and electrolyte reabsorption while reducing inflammation and helping slow the growth of bacteria that might be causing the diarrhea.
These medications are not recommended for children without first consulting a pediatrician.
For persistent diarrhea related to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), prescription options include:
Alosetron (Lotronex): Reserved for severe cases in women with IBS-D. May have side effects like constipation and reduced colon blood flow.
Eluxadoline (Viberzi): Slows gut contractions, relieving pain. Not suitable for those without a gallbladder, as it may lead to pancreatitis.
Rifaximin (Xifaxan): An antibiotic used for specific gut bacteria; typically a short-term treatment, sometimes for traveler’s diarrhea.
While there's no specific recommended diet for treating diarrhea, options like bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, potatoes, smooth peanut butter, skinless poultry, and yogurt are generally suitable.
Conversely, it's wise to avoid fatty or fried foods, raw fruits and vegetables, spicy foods, caffeinated drinks, and beans, which are likely to make diarrhea worse.
Drugs used to treat Diarrhea
The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
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.
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.
