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Let's get this diarrhea under control using OTC measures.
Pharmacist

Diarrhea is a symptom. It is always much better to take care of the underlying cause if possible.

Well, for now, you will see what is available over-the-counter to manage diarrhea, answer a few questions to see what will work best and get this under control.

Let's take a look at what is available over the counter for diarrhea management below to start with.

Boy with diarrhea


Oral Rehydration

This should be your first focus before thinking of medications or probably the only thing you should do when it comes to diarrhea. Most of the time this is enough to take care of diarrhea.

The goal is to prevent dehydration. You have to start preventing dehydration as soon as possible. Start this as soon as you notice diarrhea coming on with your child.

Good examples of oral rehydration at the pharmacy are Pedialyte or rehydration packets you mix with water for electrolyte replacement.

Home mixture

1 teaspoonful salt + 2 tablespoonfuls of sugar + 1 liter of water.    

Be careful with mixing this. Too much sugar or salt may make diarrhea worse.

If the child throws up while drinking this, wait for 5 to 10 minutes and start again slowly.

 

Loperamide

Imodium. This is usually the first choice for over-the-counter management of diarrhea. 

It works by decreasing the movement of the intestine thereby increasing the length of time things stay in the intestine allowing more water to be absorbed.

There are situations where your child cannot take this. This include

  • Diarrhea is bloody or there is blood in the stool
  • Your child also has fever

If these are present, you should seek urgent care for your child.

 

Probiotics

This has been shown to reduce the duration of diarrhea by a day or two.

Eating yogurt or better yet salted yogurt will be helpful if your child can.

 

Probiotics

This has been shown to reduce the duration of diarrhea by a day or two.

Eating yogurt or better yet salted yogurt will be helpful if your child can.

 

Last updated by pharmacist on : 02/17/2016

 

 

Know this about the safe and effective use of this recommendation.
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Our disclaimer

  • Recommendation is the opinion of a registered US Pharmacist currently practicing as a community pharmacist.
  • Recommendation is not an attempt to discuss all possible self care or treatment approach to this health challenge.
  • The responsibility of the recommending pharmacist is limited to this question:
    "If a patient presents with these symptoms, what will you recommend and why?"
    It is not an attempt to publish an article on the treatment of any condition. Just what would you tell a patient who present with so and so in the usual course of your practice.
  • The pharmacist image presented in this article may or may not be the actual image of the authoring pharmacist.
    Because we insist on using articles written by currently practicing community pharmacists, these pharmacists may choose to remain anonymous especially if they are employed by an employer to avoid being pressured to recommend a particular product to drive sales.
  • Please read the policies and terms of use for self-care OTC, selfcarepharmacist.com and it's affiliates by clicking on the button below.

 

 

 

 

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