The search for effective pills for diarrhea narrows when the cause of the ailment is identified. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis on the basis of a study and collection of tests. However, there are cases when diarrhea catches up after eating foods of inadequate quality, then treatment can be carried out independently. Let's try to understand the causes of diarrhea and medications that contain active substances to restore the body.
What is diarrhea or diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a rapid bowel movement, presented in the form of a watery stool. In common people, this phenomenon is called diarrhea. Such a delicate problem can take anyone by surprise. Defecation occurs more than three times a day, occurs unexpectedly and spontaneously. May provoke anal incontinence. Accompanied by characteristic abdominal pain. Diarrhea is a protective function of the body. Intensive work of intestinal motility is aimed at removing harmful substances and toxins from the body.
Distinguish between acute and chronic diarrhea. Acute occurs due to the influence of the pathogenic environment on the body. It can be bacteria, viruses and some types of parasites. Acute diarrhea lasts no more than two weeks. The chronic form is a more serious phenomenon, which signals the presence of possible diseases of the intestinal tract or infectious lesions of the intestine. In this case, during bowel movements, blood or purulent mucus may be released.
Causes of Diarrhea
The exact cause of diarrhea can only be identified by a doctor from the collected tests. However, in some cases, the cause of the disease becomes apparent, for example, after prolonged use of antibiotics or an intestinal disorder caused by the action of toxins. Here is a list of the most common causes of diarrhea:
- Rotavirus infection. Acute diarrhea lasts 3-5 days, there may be up to 10 urges per day. The color of feces, as a rule, is pale yellow, the consistency is liquid. Diarrhea is accompanied by acute pain in the abdomen and colic.
- Exposure to bacteria. The defeat of the body is carried out by introducing bacteria with incoming food. The most common pathogens of bacterial diseases are: salmonella, E. coli, staphylococcus, typhoid bacteria.
- The impact of microorganisms. Here we will talk about various types of helminths, which are able to live for a long time in the human body. The breakdown products of these organisms cause disruption of the digestive system and, as a result, diarrhea.
- The effects of drugs. Some antibiotics can provoke diarrhea; laxatives containing magnesium salts. This can happen if the medication regimen is violated: before, during or after a meal. Thus, the active substances of the drug affect the beneficial microflora, destroying it. The pathogenic environment prevails, which causes inflammation in the intestinal wall and, as a result, diarrhea.
- Dramatic changes in sanitation and climate. In this case, pathogens are also bacteria and viruses that are characteristic of the area. Be sure to thoroughly wash the foods before eating. Drink bottled water.
- Irritable bowel syndrome. If constipation replaces diarrhea, then this syndrome occurs. This happens with chronic dysbiosis, constant nervous upheaval, a frequent change of residence, etc.
Based on a wide variety of causes of diarrhea, we can conclude that a universal and fast-acting drug for diarrhea does not exist. To eliminate an unpleasant symptom, you need to understand the factors that provoked it. Based on this, it will become clear which pills for diarrhea should be taken.
Cases in which self-medication is unacceptable
If diarrhea lasts more than two weeks, while there is a high temperature, and the patient's condition is characterized by general weakness and lethargy, then you should seek help from a specialist. There are still certain symptoms of serious internal malfunctions, in the presence of which you can not do without medical assistance:
- Dark color of feces. This indicates the presence of internal bleeding in the intestines.
- Long diarrhea in a small child.
- Add pus and blood to the stool.
- Persistent fever.
- Pregnancy.
- Sharp and severe pain in the upper abdomen.
Do not self-medicate. If diarrhea lasts several days and there is a feeling of weakness, seek medical attention immediately. The specialist will take tests and identify the exact cause of diarrhea and malaise, prescribe a productive treatment.
Probiotics for diarrhea
Diarrhea indicates a violation of intestinal microflora. In this case, drugs are prescribed that normalize the functioning of the intestine and restore the balance between beneficial and pathogenic microflora. After all, both bacteria must be present in the intestine and fulfill their role in the digestion and processing of substances.
With dysbiosis, harmful bacteria become more, they suppress the beneficial microflora, which in most cases is the cause of diarrhea. To fill the intestines with elements of beneficial microflora, special medicines are prescribed, which are supplied in the form of tablets and suspensions.

- "Lactobacterin." Treatment with a solution based on this drug is allowed for pregnant women and children. Beneficial bacteria activate phagocytosis - absorb elements of harmful microflora; create an acidic environment that limits the growth of pathogenic bacteria and kills pathogenic microorganisms, such as staphylococci, streptococci, yeast, etc. Price - 150 rubles / 10 pcs.
- "Bifidumbacterin." The drug is represented by a complex of live bifidobacteria that act on the digestive system, normalizing its activity. Active active ingredients of the drug are able to suppress the activity of pathogens of acute intestinal diseases. The drug is prescribed for vaginal dysbiosis. Price - 260 rubles / 30 pcs.
- "Bifikol." The drug contains live strains of bifidobacteria and E. coli strains. The drug is not only able to fight against pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, but also to form immunity, enhance the protective function of the intestine. Price - 200 rubles / 10 pcs.
- Hilak Forte. Supplied as drops. The solution contains aqueous substrates of metabolic products of beneficial bacteria. The drug copes with any problems that are associated with a violation of the digestive tract. If a serious intestinal infection occurs, it is necessary to take stronger drugs, and Hilak-Forte is usually prescribed at the stage of recovery. Price - 600 rubles / 100 ml.
- "RioFlora Immuno." Available in capsule form. The drug acts on the intestinal microflora, suppressing its pathogenic bacteria. It is used for various infectious diseases, dysbacterioses. The medicine contains 9 types of probiotics, which not only fight against pathogenic microflora, but also create a favorable environment for normal digestion and help strengthen immunity. Price - 500 rubles / 30 capsules.
During pregnancy, it is allowed to take drugs from the group of probiotics to restore the balance of intestinal microflora. Despite this, it is better to consult a doctor who not only selects the most suitable drug, but also advises about the dosage. Probiotics are often used to treat children. Pills for diarrhea will help restore the baby’s fragile digestive system and strengthen the body’s protective function.
Antibiotics for diarrhea
Bacteria that can cause acute intestinal upset can be killed only with antibiotics, this applies to the acute course of the disease, when the body has a weakened immune system.
Usually intestinal infection is suppressed by the body itself. If this does not happen, then drugs such as:
- Amoxicillin. These are inexpensive pills for diarrhea in adults caused by the action of pathogenic bacteria. "Amoxicillin" refers to the category of semi-synthetic penicillin antibiotics with a wide spectrum of action. Able to kill pathogens of intestinal infections - aerobic gram-positive bacteria. Price - 50 rubles / 10 pcs.
- "Metronidazole". Refers to antiprotozoal, antibacterial drugs. It is indicated for use in acute intestinal infection, the causative agents of which are anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. Price - 30 rubles / 20 pcs.

- Chloramphenicol. The use of tablets for diarrhea is justified when bacterial infection occurs. The main component is a synthetic preparation with antiseptic properties, identical to the substance isolated from streptomycetes bacteria. The drug stops the growth of bacteria by blocking protein synthesis in their body. Price - 120 rubles / 10 pcs.
- "Ciprofloxacin." Fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Active against aerobic bacteria. Used for infectious diarrhea. Price - 40 rubles / 10 pcs.
Antibiotics are selected purely individually by a specialist. The drug is prescribed for the destruction of pathogenic microflora, which develops in the gastrointestinal tract. When appointing, follow the instructions for use. With diarrhea, antibiotic tablets are necessary in case of the bacterial nature of the symptom.
Means that slow down intestinal motility
The action of drugs of this group is the same, but the active substance is one - loperamide hydrochloride. These diarrhea pills are inexpensive and effective. Getting rid of diarrhea is due to a decrease in the secretion of mucus and fluid in the intestines, which slows the passage of a lump of food. The effect of the drug is observed within one hour after taking.
The variety of medicinal formulations is not too large:
- Loperamide. Price - 25 rubles / 20 pcs.
- Imodium. Price - 330 rubles / 10 pcs.
- Stoperan. Price - 120 rubles / 10 pcs.
All preparations have the same composition - 2 mg of loperamide hydrochloride per capsule. Therefore, feel free to choose the medicine that has a more reasonable price, rather than the inscription of a popular manufacturer. Loperamide is a very effective pill for diarrhea. As excipients, the following components are included in capsules and tablets:
- talc;
- corn starch;
- lactose;
- magnesium stearate;
- silica.
With serious diseases accompanied by severe diarrhea, loperamide is not only useless, but also contraindicated. These fast-acting diarrhea pills in adults can slow the passage of intestinal contents and trigger an even larger infection. The medicine is used for diarrhea caused by the reaction of the body to a stressful situation, due to climate adaptation, as well as due to the use of low-quality products. “Loperamide” - cheap pills for diarrhea, which should always be in the home medicine cabinet.
Sorbent preparations for diarrhea
Strong antibiotic drugs can kill all types of bacteria, and in the intestine there are a large number of useful types of bacteria that are involved in the digestion and breakdown of substances in the form of food. With prolonged exposure to drugs, the normal environment in the intestine is disturbed, and bacteria of pathogenic microflora can begin to develop. Dysbacteriosis can cause diarrhea as a protective function of the body, which is aimed at ridding the intestines of harmful bacteria.
It happens when, due to severe stress, an intestinal upset begins. This is due to the fact that too much adrenaline enters the bloodstream and the intestines stop working properly. Another cause of digestive disorders is poisoning by poor-quality food or poisonous herbs and mushrooms.
In these situations, in addition to probiotics, sorbent drugs are also prescribed.
- Smecta. The main active ingredient is diosmectite. This component has adsorbing properties due to the content of magnesium, calcium and silicon. The drug is recommended for indigestion and indigestion, as well as for poisoning. Smecta removes harmful substances from the digestive tract, envelops the walls of the stomach with a protective film and normalizes the digestive tract. Price - 160 rubles / 10 pack.

- "Polysorb MP". This substance absorbs and removes all harmful substances by entering into a chemical reaction with them. The active substance is silicon dioxide. Once in the body, it combines with harmful toxins, antigens and metabolic products and is excreted naturally. Silicon dioxide does not enter the mucous membrane and does not penetrate the blood. Price - 370 rubles / 50 servings.
- Activated carbon. The cheapest pills for diarrhea. Coal absorbs harmful substances and toxins from the digestive tract. This drug is prescribed in cases of stagnation in the intestine, when putrefactive processes begin; with excessive gas formation, poisoning. Price - 9 rub / 10 pcs.
- "Filtrum-sti." The active substance is hydrolyzed lignin. The drug eliminates toxic poisoning, relieves allergy syndromes, removes pathogens of intestinal infections. It is supplied in the form of tablets and chewing pastes. The composition of the drug contains only components of plant origin. Price - 140 rubles / 10 pcs.
Sorbent preparations are used alone or in combination with probiotics or antibiotics. In case of serious intestinal infections caused by strong and persistent pathogens, sorbents are used as excipients that remove toxins and decay products of pathogenic microflora.
Folk remedies for treating diarrhea
As you know, there are products that fix the chair due to the astringent properties of the elements in its composition. Some types of food have the opposite characteristics. If you suffer from diarrhea against the background of the action of the eaten foods, then black tea, a decoction of sea buckthorn, and blueberry compote will help fix the stool. Thanks to these products, the development of a putrefactive environment in the intestine slows down. Refrain from eating sweet, smoked, salted and fast food. These products will only aggravate the situation. Drink plenty of water and black tea.
Starch has good astringent properties. Dilute one teaspoon of potato starch in 150 ml of warm boiled water and drink the solution. It well fixes the broth in which rice was cooked.
You can treat a patient using traditional medicine methods only if you are sure that the cause of diarrhea is not bacterial or viral, and the patient has normal health and no temperature. Be careful about the choice of folk remedies, they can cause an allergic reaction.
Manufacturer's Reviews
The belief that quality drugs must be expensive is a fallacy. Many foreign-made drugs have inexpensive Russian analogues, the composition of which does not differ from the world-famous expensive drugs. So, for example, the drug "Loperamide", offered at 25 rubles., Is no different from "Imodium", the price of which reaches 330 rubles.
The most popular antibiotics prescribed for intestinal infections in adults include Levomycetin and Ciprofloxacin. These drugs are affordable and have a wide range of effects, but are contraindicated in pregnant women and young children.
If the diarrhea is caused by rotavirus infection, then Polysorb will be the best remedy for symptoms. It is prescribed to patients of any age. To normalize the intestinal microflora, Lactobacterin is perfect, and in the case of treating babies, it is worth giving preference to the Hilak Forte drug.
Imagine the rating of corporations that produce quality products that match the description on the packaging. The reviews of doctors and patients confirm the effectiveness of the drugs of these companies:
- Novartis.
- Sanofi-Aventis.
- Bayer.
- Takeda.
Now we list the manufacturers whose products are recommended to be bought with caution due to the constant claims of Rospotrebnadzor to the quality of drugs and their compliance with international standards.
- LLC "Healer".
- OJSC "Tver Pharmaceutical Factory".
- LLC "Ozone".
- OJSC "Murom Instrument-Making Plant".
Finally
Self-medication in case of diarrhea and intestinal dysbiosis can not always give a good result.Sometimes taking drugs can aggravate the situation and lead to even greater inhibition of beneficial intestinal microflora. Intestinal dysbiosis can be the cause of failures in other parts of the digestive system. Be vigilant and careful in the search for fast-acting pills for diarrhea, take care of your health.