Antidiarrheal Agents Health Article

Definition

Antidiarrheal agents are prescription and non-prescription medicines that are used to treat diarrhea.

Purpose

Some types of cancer may cause diarrhea. In addition, diarrhea is a common side effect of chemotherapy treatments for cancer. This is because anticancer drugs can damage the cells of the intestines. Radiation treatment for cancer directed at the abdominal region also may cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can result in dehydration and the loss of minerals such as potassium. It may prevent the elimination of waste products in the urine, as the body attempts to conserve water.

Description

The common medicines for treating diarrhea that results from cancer and cancer treatments are:

• atropine and diphenoxylate
• loperamide
• octreotide
• opium tincture

Atropine and diphenoxylate are prescribed as a combination medicine with the brand names:

• Lofene
• Logen
• Lomocot
• Lomotil
• Lonox
• Vi-Atro

The generic name product also may be available. Atropine and diphenoxylate, antiperistaltic and anti-cholinergic agents, relax muscles and slow down the movements of the gastrointestinal tract. Diphenoxylate is similar to some narcotics and may be habit-forming if taken in dosages higher than prescribed. Since higher doses of atropine have unpleasant effects, it is unlikely that the combination medicine will be taken in high enough doses to cause diphenoxylate-dependence.

Loperamide slows down the movements of the intestines. The common brand names for this medicine are:

• Imodium
• Kaopectate II
• Maalox Anti-Diarrheal
• Pepto Diarrhea Control

Octreotide (brand name Sandostatin) is used to treat diarrhea and other symptoms of some types of intestinal cancers. It also is used to treat insulin-producing tumors of the pancreas and diarrhea caused by chemotherapy.

Opium tincture, also known as camphorated opium tincture or laudanum, is a narcotic that is used to treat severe diarrhea.

Except for loperamide liquid or tablets, all of these medicines require a prescription. Dosages vary with the individual.