You might be tempted to take Imodium to put some brakes on the diarrhea, but it's best to let the virus run its course, says Dr. Masket. Plus, if you don't actually have norovirus—maybe you have an inflammatory or bacterial cause instead—medications can actually make you feel worse.
In some cases, adults can take over-the-counter medicines such as loperamide link (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate link (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate) to treat diarrhea caused by viral gastroenteritis.
Over the counter anti-diarrheal medications like PeptoBismol and Imodium can prolong and even worsen symptoms. In order to achieve recovery, the infection must “run its course”.
Never take Imodium for diarrhea caused by suspected food poisoning (like E. coli or salmonella), as it can make you sicker, he said. Probiotics work well to fight diarrhea and can often shorten its duration, said Stein.
If you experience sudden diarrhoea and vomiting, the best thing to do is stay at home until you're feeling better. There's not always a specific treatment, so you have to let the illness run its course.
If your child is getting better, vomiting should start happening less and less, and their stool should start becoming more formed, according to Dr. Parikh. If you're not noticing these improvements, better to be safe than sorry: It's time to see a doctor.
Check with your doctor before taking loperamide if you: have had an allergic reaction to loperamide or any other medicines in the past. have had diarrhoea for more than 48 hours. have HIV and your stomach becomes swollen.
Imodium will usually help to slow down your acute diarrhea in the first hour, but if your diarrhea continues you may need to take additional doses in the same day.
Take IMODIUM™ straight after your first bout – it can relieve diarrhea in just one hour so your body can start to recover sooner. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and/or taking a rehydration treatment.
How is it treated? The most important thing to do is to rest the stomach and intestine. You can do this by not eating solid food for a while and drinking only clear liquids. As your symptoms go away, you can start eating soft bland foods that are easy to digest.
Aside from staying hydrated, the best thing you can do for the stomach bug is treat the diarrhea symptoms. Pepto Diarrhea has you covered. Its dual action coats your stomach and kills the common bacterial causes of diarrhea. You can count on fast, calming, and effective diarrhea relief with Pepto Diarrhea.
How long are people contagious? People infected with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 3 days after recovery. Some people may be contagious for as long as 2 weeks after recovery. Therefore, good hand washing is important.
Loperamide (Imodium) is an antidiarrheal and antimotility agent used to help manage and treat traveler's diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome associated with chronic diarrhea, acute nonspecific diarrhea in patients two years and older, and reduce ileostomy output.
Most individuals with gastroenteritis will experience both diarrhea and vomiting, but some experience only one of these symptoms. Diarrhea is often very watery (type 7 on the Bristol stool chart), and can be bloody if the source of gastroenteritis is bacterial.
The bottom line. Imodium A-D can interact with clarithromycin, omeprazole, and antidepressants like fluoxetine and citalopram. It can also interact with tonic water and grapefruit or grapefruit juice. These interactions can increase the risk of side effects and serious heart rhythm problems.
Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief is used to treat diarrhea that occurs with cramps, bloating, and gas. The recommended dosage for adults and children ages 12 years and older is as follows: Take two caplets after your first loose stool. Then take one caplet after each loose stool that follows.
One tried-and-true diet for diarrhea is the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Low in fiber, bland, and starchy, these foods can help replace lost nutrients and firm up your stools.
Adults should not use more than 8 milligrams in 24 hours if self-treating, or 16 milligrams in 24 hours if under a doctor's direction. If you are taking the chewable tablet, take this medication on an empty stomach. The chewable tablets should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.
Watery diarrhea means that you have liquid stools. Common causes include viral infections, such as norovirus, and bacterial infections, such as Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Medical conditions like celiac disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) also may cause it.
Why does stomach flu hit at night? In some people, the stomach flu symptoms may be more pronounced at night due to their circadian rhythm. At night an increase in immune system activity releases infection-fighting chemicals. These can cause inflammation that make you feel worse as you battle your flu.
The initial stages start with chills, fever, and nausea, which transition into vomiting, diarrhea, and aches and pains. It's awful, and there is no cure. Stomach flu has to run its course. The sickness usually passes in about 10 days without medication.
How Long Does the Stomach Flu Last? Though it can feel endless, the worst part of the stomach flu rarely lasts longer than one to three days. However, symptoms can sometimes last for up to 10 days, and it can take a few weeks for your bowel habits to return to normal.