• Question: Why shouldn't I take an over the counter anti-diarrhea medicine?

    Asked by faizaan to Claire, Franco, Koi, Linda, Mark on 18 Jun 2016.
    • Photo: Franco Falcone

      Franco Falcone answered on 18 Jun 2016:


      @Faizaan
      Yours is a medical question which I am not qualified to answer, as I do not have a medical degree. There can be good reasons to take OTC anti-diarrhea drugs such as Imodium, but equally there are good reasons not to take them if there is no acute need. Diarrhea can be a sign of many diseases, from mild infections to more serious issues, so if anyone has long-term diarrhea, my advice would be to see a good trusted GP as a first step, or a good trusted Pharmacist.

      If the underlying cause is a parasitic infection (such as Giardia lamblia, or Entamoeba) then taking anti-diarrhea medication may limit the symptoms, but will not treat the causes of the disease. If the cause of diarrhea is the presence of a parasitic infection in your gut, then you have to treat the parasites with appropriate drugs, and the symptoms should disappear together with the parasite that caused them.

      Treating the symptoms without treating the cause at its root may only make things worse in the long term, and this statement can be made about many things in life, not just diarrhea.

    • Photo: Mark Booth

      Mark Booth answered on 18 Jun 2016:


      Hi Faizaan

      I think this question is one for a medical or pharmaceutical practitioner rather than us

    • Photo: Claire Bourke

      Claire Bourke answered on 20 Jun 2016:


      Hi faizaan,
      I agree, I’m not a medical doctor and often the best thing to do with severe diarrhea is to see a doctor who will be able to diagnose the problem. As Franco says, diarrhea can be the body’s response to a range of different problems – it’s the gut’s way of flushing out infections, food that it can’t absorb well and toxins, since it contains lots of water undigested food and whatever nasties that the body wants to flush out – it isn’t pleasant for the person, but can be an effective short-term protective mechanism. One of the bad things about diarrhea is that flushing out infections also means flushing out important nutrients, water and can also damage the gut lining if it goes on for a long time, which can lead to dehydration and malnutrition. There are some infections which actively cause diarrhea too, so if these are not cleared, the person can come sick from the infection as well as from diarrhea. In young children in the developing world, long-term or repeated bouts of diarrhea can be deadly for these reasons, which is really tragic. To prevent this, treatment is essential, including rehydration and therapeutic feeding. Sadly, not everyone has access to therapies for diarrheal illnesses in the way that we often do here in the UK.

      In short, diarrhea can help clear infections but is also unpleasant and potentially harmful. Treatment depends on how bad the case is and how long it goes on for and, whilst OTC medicines may help, if symptoms persist, go see a medical doctor.

    • Photo: Linda Anagu

      Linda Anagu answered on 20 Jun 2016:


      @faizaan, at a young age there will be no need of rushing to take a medication your doctor, pharmacist or parents have not give to you. I have seen many adults make decision by taking an anti-diarrhea medication without first talking to their pharmacist because they have an interview or an school exam. While this may be safe and effective temporarily, it is always good to follow up especially if you do not feel better, with your doctor or pharmacist. You should also never form the habit of popping anti-diarrhea medication every time especially if the diarrhea is recurring. Diarrhea can be caused by numerous things; like a food that your body cannot tolerate, anxiety to travel (travelers diarrhea), infection ( parasite, bacteria or rarely a fungi) and your body adjusting to a new physiological condition. All these types of diarrhea are treated by different drugs or no drug at all, you may just need to avoid certain food or take some vitamins. When diarrhea becomes disturbing a common over the counter medication taken is Imodium which works on the body’s physiology and stop the diarrhea. While this is a quick fix, it may be necessary for the body to expel the culprit, e.g the bad food or a worm. Antibiotics and antiparasitic drugs are prescribed if it is an infective diarrhea. If the diarrhea is causing or might cause dehydration an oral re hydration drink or drip is given. hope this helps.

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