Diarrhea Treatments and Medications

As uncomfortable as diarrhea is, the good news is that it usually goes away quickly, typically lasting from a few hours to a few days. In the United States, on average, adults have it once a year, and children twice a year. Most of the time, diarrhea does not pose a significant health risk. However, there are times you should contact your healthcare provider. In this article, we discuss the difference between acute and chronic diarrhea, how to treat it, when it is dangerous, and what you can do at home.

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is loose stools three or more times in a day. Other symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, and an urgent need to use the bathroom, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. “Some common causes of diarrhea include viral infection, bacteria, and parasites due to consuming contaminated water, and antibiotics,” says Dr. Lina Velikova M.D., a medical advisor for Supplements 101. “Furthermore, lactose-intolerant people can experience diarrhea if they consume foods with lactose. Fructose and artificial sweeteners can also cause diarrhea.”

Diarrhea is characterized as acute, persistent, or chronic. Acute is the most common type of diarrhea, and the second most reported illness in the United States (respiratory infections are number one). It usually comes on abruptly and lasts less than two weeks. Persistent diarrhea lasts between two and four weeks; chronic lasts longer than four weeks.

The most common cause of acute diarrhea is a viral infection. In children, it is rotavirus, and in adults, it is norovirus. Traveler’s diarrhea comes from consuming contaminated water or foods and is typically associated with visiting developing countries. Food poisoning from viruses, bacteria, or parasites can also cause diarrhea.

Diarrhea symptoms can include:

• Loose, watery stools

• Loose stools three or more times in one day

• Bloating and cramps

• Strong or uncontrollable need to use the bathroom

• Usually lasts one or two days and then goes away on its own

Some people also experience nausea and vomiting.

When symptoms of diarrhea last between two and four weeks, it is considered persistent; over four weeks is chronic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As with acute, causes include infections from viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Other causes of persistent and chronic diarrhea include:

• Pancreatic disorders

• Gastrointestinal disorders (Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, functional digestive (GI) disorders, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, ulcerative colitis)

• Medications (antibiotics, cancer drugs, antacids containing magnesium)

• Food intolerances and malabsorption

• Thyroid disorders

• Tumors

• Immune deficiencies

• Autoimmune disorders

• Hereditary disorders

• Cancer treatments

• Abdominal surgery

It is called idiopathic diarrhea when the cause is unknown. Diarrhea is not usually severe; however, acute, persistent, and chronic diarrhea can cause dehydration.

How is diarrhea diagnosed?

Most of the time, diarrhea is self-diagnosed and self-treated. It frequently gets better with dietary changes and over-the-counter medications. But, if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider:

• Symptoms for more than two days as an adult, more than 24 hours for children

• Severe pain in the abdomen or rectum

• Fever of 102 or higher

• Stools containing blood or pus

• Bowel movements that are black or tarry

Diarrhea can be very dangerous in newborns and infants since due to their small size they can become dehydrated very quickly. Severe dehydration can be deadly, so if your baby has diarrhea, you should call your pediatrician immediately.

“Usually diarrhea is not a severe condition, and is often described as an inconvenience,” says Dr. Velikova, “However, it can lead to severe dehydration. That’s why it is important to contact your doctor if it lasts more than two days.”

Signs of dehydration include:

• Thirst

• Urinating less than usual (in babies no wet diapers for three hours or more)

• Fatigue

• Dark-colored urine

• Dry mouth

• When skin is pinched and released, does not flatten back to normal right away

• Sunken eyes or cheeks

• Light-headedness or fainting

• In children, there may not be tears when crying

At first, healthcare professionals often suggest dietary changes, over-the-counter medications, and rest. Typically, providers do not try to find the cause of acute diarrhea, assuming it is an infection. However, if diarrhea does not go away within 48 hours, your doctor might complete a physical exam, including checking for dehydration, taking your temperature, and checking your abdomen for tenderness or pain, according to the NIDDK. Some questions your physician might ask are:

• How long have you had diarrhea?

• How much stool have you passed?

• How often have you had diarrhea?

• What color is your stool?

• What is your stool’s consistency?

• Are you experiencing any other symptoms?

• What foods did you eat before the diarrhea started?

• What medications, including vitamins and supplements, are you taking?

• Have you had recent contact with people who are sick?

• Have you recently traveled? If so, to where?

If your doctor feels it is warranted, they could suggest additional testing, such as:

• Stool test to check for the presence of bacteria or parasites

• A blood test to check for infections, disorders, and diseases

• Hydrogen breath test to check for lactose intolerance

• Fasting studies to determine if the diarrhea is a result of food intolerance or allergy

If, after comprehensive testing, your healthcare provider cannot determine the cause of your diarrhea, they might order an endoscopic procedure such as colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. These tests allow a doctor to look at your intestinal tract to check for rare causes of diarrhea.

Diarrhea treatment options

When symptoms of diarrhea only last a few days, the standard for treating diarrhea includes:

• Taking over-the-counter medications to relieve the symptoms

• Drinking plenty of fluids, including water, fruit juices, sports drinks, and soda without caffeine

• Instituting a liquid diet and, as symptoms improve, adding bland foods

You should not use over-the-counter medications for young children, or if you have bloody stools or a fever, contact your healthcare provider before taking any drugs, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or supplements.

For persistent or chronic diarrhea, you should follow the general dietary suggestions from your doctor. Also, you should have treatment for any underlying medical conditions and speak to medical professionals about whether a change in medication or dosage is warranted.

Diarrhea medications

A few medications for diarrhea are available over-the-counter (OTC). If these are not effective, you may be prescribed stronger medications. Some of the common medications include:

Antidiarrheals

• Pepto Bismol/Kaopectate (bismuth subsalicylate)—available over-the-counter

• Imodium AD (loperamide)—available over-the-counter

• Lomotil (diphenoxylate/atropine)—available by prescription only, used to treat serious diarrhea

• Mytesi (crofelemer)—available by prescription only, used to treat diarrhea associated with HIV/AIDS

Antibiotic/Antibacterial

• Xifaxan (rifaximin)—available by prescription only, used to treat serious diarrhea from bacteria

• Aemcolo (rifamycin)—available by prescription only, used to treat serious diarrhea from bacteria

Antiprotozoals

• Alinia (nitazoxanide)—available by prescription only, used to treat parasite infections

Anticholinergic/opioid combination

• Motofen (difenoxin and atropine sulfate)—available by prescription only, used to treat serious diarrhea

What is the best medication for diarrhea?

There is no “best” diarrhea medication. People react differently to drugs, and what is the best remedy for one person may not be the right one for someone else. Choosing the best medication for each person depends on several factors, including:

• Current health

• Medical history

• Other drugs currently being used and potential interactions

• Other conditions

• Tolerance for drugs and response to treatment

The following is a comparison chart to help you understand the most commonly prescribed medications for diarrhea.

Save big on your prescriptions

with the free SingleCare app.

4.8 average rating

Text a link to get the app

Send

Best medications for diarrhea