AskDocDoc
/
/
/
common medicine for loose motion
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7, 100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime. No sign-up needed.
Digestive Health
Question #16652
6 days ago
25

common medicine for loose motion - #16652

Reyansh

I am really struggling with something here. For about a week now, I've been dealing with loose motions and it's driving me nuts. At first, I thought it was just a stomach bug or something I ate, but it just won’t go away. I've tried a few things at home like staying hydrated and eating bland foods, but nothing really seems to help. It feels like every time I eat or even drink water, I end up rushing to the bathroom. I usually don’t like taking medication unless I really have to, but I've been wondering if there's a common medicine for loose motion that could actually work. I've got a busy schedule and honestly, I can't keep running to the bathroom every hour. I did some Googling and saw a couple of options, but I'm not sure what's considered safe or really effective. Would something over-the-counter really help my loose motion right now? I'm trying to avoid anything that's too harsh on my stomach, but desperation is setting in! Should I be worried about the duration of this happening or is it pretty normal? I’ve read it could be linked to a bunch of different causes, like infections or even stress, but I just need some advice on a common medicine for loose motion that’s generally recommended. Any insights or recommendations would be super helpful!

FREE
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential.
No sign-up needed.
CTA image asteriksCTA image

Doctors’ responses

For ongoing cases of loose motion, over-the-counter (OTC) medications like loperamide (often known by the brand name Imodium) can be useful for temporary relief. Loperamide works by slowing down gut movement, which helps the intestines absorb more water from the stools and thus firm them up. However, it’s critical to address that persistent diarrhea lasting more than a week might indicate an underlying health issue that needs attention. If the symptoms persist beyond the use of medication, you should consider consulting a healthcare provider for a more precise diagnosis and treatment plan. In terms of safety, loperamide is generally considered safe for short-term use but should not be used in cases where diarrhea is accompanied by a high fever or blood in stools, as this could signal a bacterial infection that may need antibiotics instead. Furthermore, if there’s any suspicion that this might be due to something like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or another long-term condition, different treatment strategies involving diet and possibly probiotics might be more appropriate. To minimize further digestive upset in the meantime, continue staying hydrated with oral rehydration solutions and avoid caffeine, dairy, and fatty or high-fiber foods until symptoms improve. If diarrhea persists, becomes severe, or if you experience symptoms like dizziness, weight loss, or severe abdominal pain, it would be essential to seek medical evaluation promptly. These symptoms could be red flags indicating dehydration or an underlying issue that needs direct attention. Thus, while loperamide can help in the short term, do consider medical advice if your symptoms don’t improve or if you notice any alarming signs.

7083 answered questions
76% best answers

0 replies
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymously

Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.

About our doctors

Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.


Related questions