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Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea While On Lomotil
Question: I had diarrhea for 5 days and my doctor prescribed Lomotil. I took it for 1 day (3 pills) and the diarrhea stopped, but my stools remained very soft and I felt bloated. A week later, my diarrhea has returned. Should I go back on the Lomotil? I have no other symptoms other than diarrhea and feeling bloated in my lower abdomen. Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Yes, You can use Lomotil.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM,
I read your question very carefully.
The dose of Lomotil is 5 mg 4 times/day until control is achieved (maximum: 20 mg/day), then reduce the dose as needed;
So yes, you can go back on Lomotil unless you have advanced liver or kidney disease (don't use in this case)
If there is no response within 48 hours, it is unlikely to be effective and should be discontinued.
Something to be aware is that physical and psychological dependence have been reported with higher than recommended dosing with Lomotil. The bowel gets lazy, waits for the medicine to start moving, and doesn't do it normal movement. Thats why I would recommend to not use it more then 3 days, and see a doctor if you are getting worse or not getting better.
Also, if you see blood or mucus in your stool, consider seeing your doctor again. Ii may mean that you have a bacterial infection which needs an antibiotic treatment.
Drink plenty of fluids meanwhile and avoid milk, because it would make diarrhea worse.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need further questions. Otherwise please kindly close and rate the question.
Regards
Yes, You can use Lomotil.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM,
I read your question very carefully.
The dose of Lomotil is 5 mg 4 times/day until control is achieved (maximum: 20 mg/day), then reduce the dose as needed;
So yes, you can go back on Lomotil unless you have advanced liver or kidney disease (don't use in this case)
If there is no response within 48 hours, it is unlikely to be effective and should be discontinued.
Something to be aware is that physical and psychological dependence have been reported with higher than recommended dosing with Lomotil. The bowel gets lazy, waits for the medicine to start moving, and doesn't do it normal movement. Thats why I would recommend to not use it more then 3 days, and see a doctor if you are getting worse or not getting better.
Also, if you see blood or mucus in your stool, consider seeing your doctor again. Ii may mean that you have a bacterial infection which needs an antibiotic treatment.
Drink plenty of fluids meanwhile and avoid milk, because it would make diarrhea worse.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need further questions. Otherwise please kindly close and rate the question.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
As noted in my original question, I had diarrhea for 5 days prior to my initial Dr.'s visit. I stopped the Lomotil after one day's dosage because the diarrhea ended but my stools were still soft but not runny. So it has been nearly 2 weeks since my initial onset of diarrhea. Now it has started again. I know you said I could continue the Lomotil, but should I be concerned brcause my bowel movements have not been normal for 2 weeks now?
Brief Answer:
Bowel sometimes needs some time to return to normal
Detailed Answer:
Hello again dear,
Thank you for asking a follow-up question.
That is a fair enough reason to be concerned about. What would Lomotil do is just to lower the bowel movements, but it wont treat the cause of the diarrhea.
Most of the times the cause is viral, and it is self limited. It should return to normal in about 1-2 weeks, but sometimes it needs more time depending on people.
In your case, with only 2 weeks, we cant call it chronic diarrhea. it needs 2-4 weeks of lose stool to be called like that.
That is why I would keep an eye on the symptoms I mentioned above like blood or mucus on the stool, because those would indicate for a reason to see a doctor again. Also, if it doesn't get better in 2 other weeks, I would recommend to still consider see the doctor, do a stool for ova an parasite, do a occult blood in the stool, and since in 2 yours you would have the age when colonoscopy is recommended, maybe you should consider it ahead of time and check your bowel from closeby.
Let me know if you have further concerns.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Bowel sometimes needs some time to return to normal
Detailed Answer:
Hello again dear,
Thank you for asking a follow-up question.
That is a fair enough reason to be concerned about. What would Lomotil do is just to lower the bowel movements, but it wont treat the cause of the diarrhea.
Most of the times the cause is viral, and it is self limited. It should return to normal in about 1-2 weeks, but sometimes it needs more time depending on people.
In your case, with only 2 weeks, we cant call it chronic diarrhea. it needs 2-4 weeks of lose stool to be called like that.
That is why I would keep an eye on the symptoms I mentioned above like blood or mucus on the stool, because those would indicate for a reason to see a doctor again. Also, if it doesn't get better in 2 other weeks, I would recommend to still consider see the doctor, do a stool for ova an parasite, do a occult blood in the stool, and since in 2 yours you would have the age when colonoscopy is recommended, maybe you should consider it ahead of time and check your bowel from closeby.
Let me know if you have further concerns.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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