antidiarrhoeal

Any substance that controls diarrhoea. Choice of treatment depends on the underlying cause. One group, including opiates, codeine, and atropine, produces constipation by slowing down motility (muscle activity of the intestine wall).

Bulking agents, such as vegetable fibres (for example, methylcellulose), absorb fluid. Antibiotics may be appropriate for certain systemic bacterial infections, such as typhoid fever, salmonella, and infective enteritis.

Current therapy of acute diarrhoea is based on fluid and electrolyte replacement. Chronic diarrhoea, a feature of some bowel disorders (for example, Crohn's disease, colitis, coeliac disease) responds to drugs such as antispasmodics and corticosteroids, and special diet.