Diarrhea

Question 1

oral replacement solution (ORS)

Answer 1

WHO-ORS
pedialyte
gatorade
chicken broth
ginger ale

Question 2

Directions for ORS

Answer 2

Mild to moderate dehydration:
Drink 2-4 liters of ORS over 4 hours

Minimal to no dehydration:
Drink 0.5-1 cup of ORS per loose stool

Question 3

loperamide

Dosage form
Directions
Length of treatment
counseling point

Answer 3

Caplets—2 mg
Liquid—2 mg/15 mL

4 mg initially, then 2 mg after each loose stool
Max=8 mg/day

48 hours

Only use in patients >6 years of age
Side effects: occasional dizziness, constipation

Question 4

Bismuth subsalicylate

Dosage form
Directions
Length of treatment
counseling point

Answer 4

Tablets—262 mg
Caplets—262 mg
Liquid—262 mg/15 mL and 525 mg/15 mL

525 mg every 30-60 minutes
Max=4200 mg/day or 8 doses/day

48 hours

Only use in patients >12 years of age - reyes syndrome.
Use caution if patient is concurrently using aspirin.
Side effects:
Harmless black staining of stool or darkening of tongue
Discontinue if patient experiences mild tinnitus or signs of neurotoxicity

Question 5

Digestive Enzymes

Dosage form
Directions
Length of treatment
counseling point

Answer 5

Chewable tablets, caplets, liquids

Package directions with first bite of dairy product

with each diary product

Used for patients with lactase deficiency
Make sure to counsel to take with first bite of dairy