What types of OTC drugs treat diarrhea?
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines you can buy without a prescription from your doctor. Some OTC drugs can help you feel better if you have diarrhea. These are called antidiarrheal medicines. Antidiarrheal medicines include loperamide (one brand name: Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (two brand names: Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol). Bismuth subsalicylate can also be used for upset stomach and as an antiemetic (a medicine that treats nausea and vomiting). Depending on the cause of your diarrhea, you may also need to take antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria. If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic for you, it’s important to talk to your doctor before taking any OTC medicine to relieve your symptoms.
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines you can buy without a prescription from your doctor. Some OTC drugs can help you feel better if you have diarrhea. These are called antidiarrheal medicines. Antidiarrheal medicines include loperamide (one brand name: Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (some brand names: Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol). Bismuth subsalicylate can also be used for upset stomach and as an antiemetic (a medicine that treats nausea and vomiting). Depending on the cause of your diarrhea, you may also need to take antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria. If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic for you, it’s important to talk to your doctor before taking any OTC medicine to relieve your symptoms.
