Try anti-diarrhea medications. Some adults may find it helpful to take loperamide (Imodium A-D) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, others) to manage their symptoms. However, avoid these if you have bloody diarrhea or fever, which could be signs of another condition.
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.
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.
Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within 1-3 days after you're infected and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may last up to 14 days.
As with most viral infections, there is no medication to cure the illness. 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”.
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.
There is no real cure for a stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis) because it is caused by a virus. Most people don't need medical treatment and symptoms will go away on their own within a few days, though in some people symptoms may last up to 10 days.
It's best not to take medicines to stop diarrhoea, such as loperamide. These only temporarily prevent symptoms. In some cases, they could make you more ill.
Oral rehydration solutions may be used. If you're not able to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration, you might need to receive fluids through a vein (intravenous). Your health care provider might recommend over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication and medication to reduce nausea.
Most of the time, diarrhea is simply your gut's way of getting rid of a harmful invader, like a bacteria or virus. However, in some cases, diarrhea is caused by a malfunction of the gut, as is the case with inflammatory bowel disease. Many viruses can cause diarrhea.
Since diarrhea is your body's way of getting rid of toxins, it is best to let it run its course. However, you may use over-the-counter antidiarrheal remedies for convenience, including: Attapulgite (Kaopectate) Loperamide (Imodium)
IMODIUM® products work by changing the movement of your intestinal wall to help slow the movement of fluid through the gut. As a result, there is greater overall absorption and a decrease in a stool volume. While IMODIUM® products work to help stop diarrhea, the rate of associated constipation is low.
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.
Adults and teenagers—The usual dose is 4 mg (2 tablets) after the first loose bowel movement, and 2 mg (1 tablet) after each loose bowel movement after the first dose has been taken. No more than 8 mg (4 tablets) should be taken in any 24-hour period.
Bland, starchy, low-fiber foods like those included in the BRAT diet (bananas, bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) are binding, which can bulk stool and help you get rid of diarrhea fast. You can also try probiotics, glutamine supplements, or home remedies like herbal teas and rice water.
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.
Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Drink lots of noncaffeine liquids unless told to drink less liquid by your doctor. Do not take Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief (loperamide and simethicone) for longer than you were told by your doctor.
Anti-Diarrheal Drugs
There are two OTC medications that may help ease diarrhea in people with stomach flu: Imodium (loperamide hydrochloride): Available in tablet form, Imodium can be used in adults and children 2 years and over. Imodium can cause drowsiness, constipation, and stomach pain in some people. 6.
The CDC recommends bleach to kill the stomach bug-causing norovirus on surfaces. But if that will damage your counter or you'd rather not use it, look for “phenolic solution” on the label of a concentrated disinfectant. To kill the germs, the EPA suggests you use 2 to 4 times the recommended amount.
Stomach bugs, also called gastroenteritis, are very common in young children and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes a fever. Gastroenteritis typically lasts in the neighborhood of three to seven days, but sometimes it can be shorter and, unfortunately, sometimes it lasts longer.
The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are the following: Diarrhea: at least 3 liquid or semi-liquid stools every 24 hours or stool that is more abundant and frequent than usual. Abdominal cramps.