Antimotility agent

Antimotility agents are drugs used to alleviate the symptoms of diarrhea. These include loperamide (Imodium), bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol),[1] diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil), and opiates such as paregoric, tincture of opium, codeine, and morphine. In diarrhea caused by invasive pathogens such as Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter, the use of such agents has generally been strongly discouraged, though evidence is lacking that they are harmful when administered in combination with antibiotics in Clostridioides difficile cases.[2] Use of antimotility agents in children and the elderly has also been discouraged in treatment of EHEC (Shiga-like toxin producing Escherichia coli) due to an increased rate of hemolytic uremic syndrome.[3]

  1. ^ Budisak P, Abbas M (2024). "Bismuth Subsalicylate". StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 32809532. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  2. ^ Koo HL, Koo DC, Musher DM, DuPont HL (March 2009). "Antimotility agents for the treatment of Clostridium difficile diarrhea and colitis". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 48 (5): 598–605. doi:10.1086/596711. PMID 19191646.
  3. ^ Bae WK, Lee YK, Cho MS, Ma SK, Kim SW, Kim NH, et al. (June 2006). "A case of hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by Escherichia coli O104:H4". Yonsei Medical Journal. 47 (3): 437–439. doi:10.3349/ymj.2006.47.3.437. PMC 2688167. PMID 16807997.