Acute Diarrhoea LAST UPDATED:

26TH MARCH 2019

PHARMACOLOGY / GASTROINTESTINAL
 Bookmark

Acute Diarrhoea
The priority in the management of acute diarrhoea, such as in
gastroenteritis, is the prevention or reversal of fluid and electrolyte
depletion. This is particularly important in infants, and in frail and elderly
patients. Oral rehydration preparations may be used, or in more severe
cases patients may be admitted to hospital and given intravenous fluid
and electrolyte replacement.

Antimotility Drugs
Antimotility drugs can relieve symptoms of acute diarrhoea by decreasing
intestinal secretion and motility, prolonging intestinal transit time and
facilitating water reabsorption (e.g. loperamide acting on opioid mu-
receptors).
They may be used in the management of uncomplicated acute diarrhoea
in adults but are not recommended for acute diarrhoea in young children.
Antimotility drugs are contraindicated in active ulcerative colitis,
antibiotic-associated colitis and conditions where abdominal distension
develops or where inhibition of peristalsis should be avoided.

Antispasmodics
Antispasmodics are occasionally of value in treating abdominal cramp
associated with diarrhoea in adults but they should not be used for
primary treatment.
Antispasmodics and antiemetics should be avoided in young children with
gastroenteritis because they are rarely effective and have troublesome
side effects.