Anti-Diarrhoea Medicines Range at Blooms The Chemist
Diarrhoea means passing three or more loose or liquid stools in one day, or more frequently than normal. Most diarrhoea is mild and clears up in a few days without treatment, and avoiding dehydration is the most important part of looking after yourself, especially in children and older adults. [Source: Healthdirect Australia]
Anti-diarrhoeal medicines work by slowing your gut, which is why they are intended for short-term use rather than ongoing management. Options include loperamide capsules and tablets, orally dissolving tablets taken without water, chewable combination tablets for diarrhoea accompanied by wind and abdominal discomfort, and sachets mixed as a drink. Because replacing lost fluids and salts matters as much as the medicine itself, electrolytes and oral rehydration solutions are available alongside these medicines.
How to choose an anti-diarrhoea medicine
- Speak with a pharmacist first: Over-the-counter anti-diarrhoeal medicines are not suitable for use in all cases of diarrhoea, so check with a Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist or your doctor before taking one.
- Format: Capsules and standard tablets suit most adults at home; orally dissolving tablets can be taken without water when you are out or travelling, and sachets are mixed into a drink.
- Symptoms alongside the diarrhoea: If wind and abdominal discomfort are part of the picture, a Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist can advise whether a combination tablet is appropriate for you.
- Rehydration as well as medicine: Oral rehydration solutions contain the right concentration of salts to replace both fluids and electrolytes your body needs, and are better than plain water for older people and children. Sports rehydration drinks are not recommended.
If you are heading overseas, it is worth planning ahead and packing travel medicines before you go, and probiotics are also available at Blooms The Chemist.
Using anti-diarrhoea medicine safely
Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Anti-diarrhoeal medicines should not be taken long term, because they slow your gut and may prolong your illness, and they should not be taken if you have a fever or blood in your stool. If diarrhoea is caused by an infection, anti-diarrhoeal medicines may keep the infection in your body longer, so use them only on your doctor's advice. [Source: Better Health Channel]
Seek medical advice promptly if you have blood or mucus in your stool, severe abdominal pain, a fever above 38 degrees, or signs of dehydration such as feeling tired, decreased urination, thirst and dry mouth. Anti-diarrhoeal medicines should not be used to treat diarrhoea in children, and a baby or young child with diarrhoea needs medical attention straight away. In an emergency, call triple zero (000). [Source: Healthdirect Australia]
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy diarrhoea medicine over the counter in Australia?
Yes. Loperamide capsules and tablets and other anti-diarrhoea medicines are available without a prescription, online or at your local Blooms The Chemist. Some options may be Pharmacist Only Medicine, so the pharmacist will need to talk with you before supplying it.
What can I take to stop diarrhoea?
For short-term diarrhoea in adults, an over-the-counter anti-diarrhoeal medicine may help reduce how often you need to go, taken alongside clear fluids or an oral rehydration solution. Check with your pharmacist or doctor first, because these medicines are not suitable for use in all cases of diarrhoea.
How long does diarrhoea usually last?
Most diarrhoea is mild and clears up in a few days without treatment, and acute diarrhoea is usually self-limiting and resolves after a day or two. If your diarrhoea continues beyond that, or you have any of the symptoms above, see your doctor. [Source: Better Health Channel]
What can I give a child with diarrhoea?
Anti-diarrhoeal medicines should not be used to treat diarrhoea in children. Focus on replacing fluids with an oral rehydration solution, and seek medical attention straight away if a baby or young child has diarrhoea, as they are more vulnerable to dehydration.