This document discusses drugs for treating diarrhea. It begins by defining diarrhea and describing its symptoms. Diarrhea can cause dehydration if fluid loss exceeds intake. Rehydration is the primary treatment, which can be done orally or intravenously depending on fluid loss severity. Oral rehydration solution contains sodium, potassium, glucose and citrate. Nutritional intake must also be maintained to support absorption. Specific antimicrobial drugs treat infectious causes like cholera, while nonspecific agents like loperamide and codeine reduce secretion and motility. Nurses monitor for dehydration and instruct patients on rehydration and avoiding exacerbating factors.

1. DRUGS FOR DIARRHOEA
PRESENTED BY
ABHILASHA VERMA
LECTURER
JHALAWAR NURSING COLLEGE

2. INTRODUCTION
• Diarrhoea is passing of too frequent, loose or watery
stools.
• It occur when the lining of intestine is unable to
absorb fluid.
• Diarrhoea may cause dehydration.
• Diarrhoea Symptoms may be-
– Painful abdominal cramps
– Bloating
– Generalized weakness.
– Lack of energy.
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3. DEHYDRATION
• Dehydration may occur when fluid loss is more than fluid intake.
• When too much water lost occur from body, its, cells, tissues
and organs fails to function and in severe condition results in
shock.
• Common causes are-
– Excessive vomiting
– Excessive sweating
– Excess urination
– Diarrhoea.
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4. TREATMENT OF DIARRHOEA
REHYDRATION
MAINTENANCE
OF NUTRITION
DRUG
THERAPY
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5. REHYDRATION
“ It is the process of restoring lost water ( Dehydration) to the
body tissues and fluids”
 It can be done orally or I.V
 If fluid loss is
 Mild (5-7% of body weight)
 Moderate ( 7.5-10% of body weight)
 Severe ( >10% of body weight)
Oral rehydration
therapy
IV therapy
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6. ORAL REHYDRATION
SOLUTION
(ORS)
• The new formula of ORS By WHO,
• Dissolved in 1 liter water, made up solution should be covered
and not kept more than 24 hours due to risk of bacterial
contamination.
• Not kept in temp. more than 30° C
CONTENT Grams/liter
Sodium chloride 2.6 gm
Potassium chloride 1.5 gm
Glucose anhydrous 13.5 gm
Tri sodium citrate dihydrate 2.9 gm
Water 1 L
Total 20.5 6ABHILASHA VERMA

7. INTRA VENOUS REHYDRATION
CONTENT Grams/liter
NaCl 5 gm
kCl 1 gm
Sodi.
Bicarbonate
4 gm
In 1 liter of water
or 5 % glucose
solution
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8. MAINTENANCE OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS
• Feeding during diarrhoea should be maintained as it increase
intestinal digestive enzymes which are required for absorption
of salt, water and nutrients.
• If patient kept on fasting, in this condition, there will be
decrease in enzymes resulting in poor absorption of salt ,
water and nutrients.
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9. ANTI DIARRHOEAL DRUGS
SPECIFIC
ANTIMICROBIAL
DRUGS
NON SPECIFIC
ANTIDIARRHOEAL
DRUGS
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10. SPECIFIC ANTI MICROBIAL DRUGS
CHOLERA
Tetracyclines
TRAVELLER’S DIARRHOEA
Cotrimazole, norfloxacin,doxycyclines, erythromycin
SHIGELLA ENTRITIS
Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Nalidixic acid.
SALONELLA TYPHI
Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Nalidixic acid.cotrimazole, ampicillin are
alternatives.
CLOSTRIDIUM DEFFICILE
Meteronidazole, vancomycin.
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11. NON SPECIFIC ANTIDIARRHOEAL AGENTS
CLASS DRUGS USE
Absorbants •Ispagula
•Methyl cellulose
IBS
Colostomy diarrhoea
Ileostomy diarrhoea
Anti secretory •Sulfasalazine
•Atropine
•Bismuth subsalicylate
•Racecadotril
Ulcerative colitis
Drugs induced diarrhoea
Travellers diarrhoea
Acute secretory diarrhoea
Anti motility
(Opioids)
•Codeine
•Loperamide
Ideopathic diarrhoea in AIDS
After anal surgey, colostomy.
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12. ADVERSE EFFECTS
Constipation
Abdominal pain
Pain at injection site
Nausea
Gall stone
Drowsiness
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13. CONTRAINDICATIONS
Abdominal pain unknown
pathology
Increased risk of mega colon
in clients with Inflammatory
Bowel Disease lead to
perforation of bowel, a
serious complication.
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14. NURSING RESPONSIBILITY
 Assess for abdominal pain , nausea, vomiting, distension and
bowel sounds.
 Assess for patient’s skin turgor and monitor fluid and
electrolyte imbalance for evidence of dehydration resulting
from diarrhoea.
 Instructs to avoid caffeine, it exacerbate diarrhoea by
increasing GI motility.
 Avoid drinking plain water instead of electrolyte mixture.
 Hospitalization for severe cases
 Regular follow up.
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15. THANK YOU
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