Antidiarrheals

Question 1

Types of antidiarrheals?

General info?

Answer 1

Opiates, Adsorbents, Miscellaneous
Used to decrease hyper-motility
Dont use for more than 2 days or w/fever
May cause physical dependence

Question 2

Opiates? What do they do? What are their side effects?

Avoid with what patients?

Answer 2

Diphenoxylate w/atropine, Lopiramide
Inhibits gastric motility by affecting smooth muscle cells
SE: CNS depression, dependence, dry mouth, blurry vision, HA, urinary retnetion
AVOID w/hepatic pts

Question 3

Adsorbents? What do they do? What are their side effects?

Answer 3

Charcoal, kaolin, pectin, bismuth subsalicylate, Cholyestyramine
Reduces excess bile which decreases diarrhea
SE: dizziness, drowsiness, tinnitus, stool discoloration

Question 4

Miscellaneous? What is it for? What is the side effects?

Answer 4

Rifaximin
Used for traveler’s diarrhea & hepatic encephalopathy
SE: dizziness, HA, depression, fatigue, nausea, abd pain, anemia