brand name | Pepto Bismol | pepto diarrhea |
active ingredient | Bismuth subsalicylate | Bismuth subsalicylate |
Form and Strength | Tablet: 262mg | Oral Suspension: 525 mg per 10 mL. |
General Recommended Dosage | Adults and children 12 years and older: Take 2 tablets every 30 minutes based on symptoms of diarrhea. Do not take more than 16 tablets in 24 hours. | Adults and Children 12 Years and Older: Take 10 mL every 30 to 60 minutes (or 20 mL every 60 minutes) as needed for diarrhea. Do not take more than 240 mL (8 servings) in 24 hours. |
Bismuth subsalicylate is similar to aspirin and may be unsafe for certain people. Contact your healthcare professional before taking bismuth subsalicylate if you have any of the following symptoms or factors:
Pepto-Bismol is not recommended for children under 12 years of age. Because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, it is important not to give bismuth subsalicylate to children or adolescents who have had, are recovering from chickenpox, or have flu-like symptoms. .
Side effects of bismuth subsalicylate are rare but may include hearing problems or tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Temporary darkening of bowel movements or tongue may occur, but this is harmless and disappears when you stop taking the drug.
Kaopectate (Bismuth Subsalicylate)
Kaopectate is another OTC option for managing diarrhea in adults and children over 12 years of age.
Like Pepto-Bismol, the active ingredient is bismuth subsalicylate and it carries the same risks and precautions as described above.
Kaopectate is available in chewable tablet and oral liquid form. Some people prefer the taste of Kaopectate over the taste of Pepto-Bismol.
prescription medication for diarrhea
Prescription medications may help treat chronic or frequent diarrhea caused by conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), also known as diarrhea-predominant IBS.
Symptoms of IBS-D include:
- Frequent and/or severe abdominal pain
- If you urgently need to defecate or have an accident
- Limitations of normal daily activities due to IBS
Experts at the American Gastroenterological Association recommend the following prescription medications for managing IBS-D:
alosetron
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lotronex (alosetron) for use in adult women with chronic IBS-D who have had IBS symptoms for at least 6 months and have not responded to other treatments. This drug is not approved for use in children or adult males. Because it hasn't been shown to be effective in this population.
Alosetron is available as an oral tablet, and the typical starting dose is 0.5 mg twice daily. After 4 weeks, the dose can be increased to 1 mg twice daily. If this dose does not help control your IBS symptoms within 4 weeks, your healthcare provider will have you stop taking the medication.
Common side effects of alosetron include constipation, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Prolonged constipation can cause rare but serious complications. If constipation lasts longer than usual or becomes painful, contact your health care provider. People who have constipation problems and who are taking a medication called fluvoxamine should not take alosetron.
Eluxadoline
Viberzi (eluxadoline) is another treatment option for IBS-D. This prescription-only medication is FDA-approved for use in adults.
Eluxadoline comes as an oral tablet. The typical dosage is 100 mg twice daily. A lower dose of 75 mg twice daily is recommended for people with liver or kidney problems, those who cannot tolerate a 100 mg dose, or those taking certain medications that interact with eluxadoline, such as Neoral (cyclosporine).
Common side effects of eluxadoline are constipation, nausea, and abdominal pain. If severe constipation occurs, contact your healthcare professional immediately. Eluxadoline is not a safe option for everyone and should not be taken by individuals who:
Rifaximin
Zyfaxan (rifaximin) is a prescription-only antibacterial agent approved by the FDA for the short-term treatment of IBS-D in adults.
This medication is also FDA-approved for other uses, including traveler's diarrhea caused by: E. coli (E. coli).
The usual dosage of rifaximin to treat IBS-D is 550 mg tablets three times daily for 14 days. If diarrhea continues, your health care provider may prescribe up to two more treatments.
Common side effects of Xifaxan in people with IBS-D include nausea and elevated liver enzymes. In rare cases, it may increase the risk of another serious type of diarrhea caused by bacteria. Clostridioides difficile (C. Differencespreviously known Clostridium difficile).
When do you need prescription vs. OTC medications for diarrhea?
In most cases, acute (short-term or intermittent) diarrhea can be effectively managed with OTC antidiarrheal medications.
Taking Imodium AD or Bismuth Subsalicylate usually manages diarrhea quickly, with symptoms usually stopping within a day or two. If diarrhea persists for more than 2 days while taking an OTC antidiarrheal medication, stop taking the product and contact your healthcare provider. If you experience signs of dehydration, seek immediate medical attention.
If diarrhea is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, or bloating, consult your healthcare professional before taking OTC medications.
How to Manage Diarrhea Symptoms
When you have diarrhea, drinking plenty of fluids is the best way to prevent dehydration. When you have diarrhea, your body loses a lot of water and electrolytes.
Symptoms of dehydration include headache, dizziness, and racing heart. The best drink to help you rehydrate is oral rehydration solution (ORS). They provide a balanced mix of sugar and salt. However, if you are unable to obtain ORS, other liquids such as water, juice, sports drinks containing electrolytes, and soup may also be helpful.
The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) is a useful option for reintroducing solid foods if you have diarrhea. It consists of soft foods that are easy to digest.
A health care professional can help you decide whether it's worth trying other lifestyle changes for chronic or frequent diarrhea. For example, an elimination diet may be recommended to determine if certain foods are causing your symptoms.
summary
Diarrhea is usually temporary and resolves on its own, but OTC medications such as Imodium AD and Pepto-Bismol may provide relief.
For chronic or frequent diarrhea associated with conditions such as IBS-D, prescription medications may be needed. It is important to follow dosage instructions and consult a healthcare professional if necessary.
If diarrhea lasts more than 2 days or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is recommended to seek medical advice.