OTC and Prescription Medications for Diarrhea

Diarrhea is an unpleasant and inconvenient condition.

Fortunately, it usually resolves on its own without medication.

Whensymptomsarise, many people turn to over-the-counter (OTC) medications for relief.

Bottles of Pepto Bismol sitting on a pharmacy shelf

Getty Images /Mario Tama/ Staff

These can be helpful for occasional diarrhea.

In these cases, prescription medications may be helpful.

Imodium (Loperamide)

ImodiumA-D is a popular antidiarrheal medicine that contains the active ingredient loperamide.

Imodium is available without a prescripton in several oral forms, including tablets, capsules, and liquids.

Loperamide also comes as an OTC combination product called Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief.

It containssimethiconeas an added active ingredient, which helps to relievegas.

The table below summarizes the recommended dosages of OTC Imodium A-D products.

Loperamide can be safe and effective for controlling diarrhea, such as traveler’s diarrhea, in most individuals.

Potential side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, ortiredness.

Bismuth subsalicylateis another OTC medication available for managing short-term diarrhea.

It is commonly known by the brand name Pepto-Bismol.

This brand includes a line of products that come in different forms.

Not all Pepto-Bismol products are identical, so it is important to read the labels carefully.

The chart below shows the recommended dosage for two common Pepto-Bismol products.

Bismuth subsalicylate is similar to aspirin and may not be safe for certain people.

Alosetron comes in an oral tablet, with a typical starting dosage of 0.5 mg twice daily.

After four weeks, the dose may be increased to 1 mg twice daily.

Common side effects of alosetron includeconstipation, abdominal pain, andnausea.

Rare but serious complications may occur as a result of prolonged constipation.

Reach out to a healthcare provider if constipation lasts longer than usual or results in pain.

People with constipation problems and those taking a medication called fluvoxamine should not take alosetron.

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 a day.

Common side effects of eluxadoline are constipation, nausea, and abdominal pain.

If severe constipation occurs, contact a healthcare professional right away.

This medication is also FDA-approved for other uses, includingtravelers diarrheacaused byEscherichia coli(E. coli).

If the diarrhea continues, a healthcare provider may prescribe up to two more rounds of treatment.

Common side effects of Xifaxan in people with IBS-D include nausea andelevated liver enzymes.

In most cases, acute (short-term or occasional) diarrhea can be effectively managed with OTC anti-diarrhea medication.

Seek immediate medical care if symptoms of dehydration develop.

When you have diarrhea, your body loses a lot of water andelectrolytes.

Signs of dehydration include headaches, feeling dizzy, or your heart beating abnormally.

The best drinks to help with rehydration are oral rehydration solutions (ORS).

They provide a balanced mix of sugars and salts.

For example, they may recommend an elimination diet to determine if certain foods trigger your symptoms.

For chronic or frequent diarrhea linked to conditions like IBS-D, prescription medications may be necessary.

It’s important to follow dosage instructions and consult a healthcare professional if needed.