Rules for taking diarrhea medicine to support recovery

You can buy many types of diarrhea medication easily without having to include a doctor's prescription. However, diarrhea medication that is taken carelessly will not be effective in overcoming the source of the problem. There are drinking rules that must be obeyed so that diarrhea medicine can work optimally.

Should diarrhea always be treated with medication?

Diarrhea occurs when stool moves too fast in the large intestine. The large intestine cannot absorb water so that the texture of the stool becomes liquid. Diarrhea medications, also known medically as antidiarrheals, work by slowing down this process.

It is common for adults to experience diarrhea several times a year. Usually, this disease will get better on its own in a few days. You can also speed up the healing by using natural ingredients.

Although it can heal on its own, there are also those who prefer to take medicine immediately when they have diarrhea. In fact, there are no definite rules about when you should start taking diarrhea medication. If the diarrhea you feel is severe and bothersome, you can take diarrhea medicine.

There are so many conditions that can cause diarrhea. Taking diarrhea medicine without clear rules is certainly not enough to overcome various causes, such as:

Food poisoning
Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection
Food allergies
Lactose intolerance
Inflammation of the digestive tract
Celiac, Crohn's, or inflammatory bowel disease
Polyp growth in the intestine
Impaired absorption of food

Types of diarrhea medicine and drinking rules that need to be obeyed

Sometimes, you need to take medicine to treat diarrhea associated with certain diseases. The following are types of drugs that are often used to treat diarrhea:

1. Loperamide

Loperamide is used to treat prolonged diarrhea. Especially in people with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis (colitis), and irritable bowel syndrome. This drug works by slowing the movement of the stool so that the texture is solid.

You can get loperamide by prescription or buy it directly at a pharmacy. This drug is available in the form of drinking tablets, capsules, and tablets that melt in the mouth. Liquid loperamide can only be obtained by prescription.

The drinking rules of this diarrhea medicine are as follows:

2-5 years: 1 milligram at a time, maximum 3 milligrams a day
6-8 years: 2 milligrams at a time, maximum 4 milligrams a day
9-12 years: 2 milligrams at a time, maximum 6 milligrams a day
13 years and over: 4 milligrams when watery stools, then 2 milligrams with a maximum dose of 16 milligrams a day

2. Bismuth subsalicylate

Bismuth subsalicylate is more commonly used to treat stomach pain and ulcer symptoms. However, this drug also has anti-diarrheal and anti-inflammatory properties, and is able to inhibit the spread of bacteria that cause diarrhea.

The way bismuth subsalicylate works is different from loperamide, which reduces the water content in feces. You have to be careful with the dosage, because there are side effects in the form of constipation and black stool and tongue.

Consult with your doctor to find out the safe drinking rules of this diarrhea medicine. The dose for adults is usually 524 milligrams at a time. Take this medication every 30-60 minutes, but don't exceed 8 doses a day.

When taking diarrhea medicine, be careful if you are taking any other medicines. Taking diarrhea medicine and other drugs at the same time can cause drug interactions. This can create drug interactions that prevent the drug from working optimally or cause side effects.

Diarrhea is a condition that will get better in a few days. Medicines can reduce the discomfort and frequency of diarrhea, but they do not directly address the cause.

If your condition does not improve, even after taking the two drugs above for 2 days, immediately consult a doctor. Further tests will determine whether or not you should take diarrhea medicine that is specific to certain diseases or not.