There are several drugs traditionally used for diarrhea. They work differently, although 90% of diarrhea is caused by infection. Therefore, the choice of a remedy for diarrhea should take into account that this condition is only a symptom, which must be dealt with by acting on the cause. In acute intestinal infection, choosing a drug that only acts on the symptom can be dangerous! For example, the popular but expensive imodium and its cheaper counterparts containing loperamide stop diarrhea by stimulating the opiate receptors in the gut. This leads to the fact that the tone of the blocking sphincters increases, and the liquid from the feces is intensively absorbed in the intestines back. This means that the toxins that are formed in excess as a result of infection with pathogens of intestinal infections are also absorbed into the bloodstream. Therefore, loperamide is not so safe: it is forbidden to give it to children under 6 years of age.
The optimal choice for intestinal infection is a drug that acts in the intestinal lumen and eliminates infectious agents. Therefore, for diarrhea in adults and children, nitrofuran derivatives are used. Furazolidone, included in this series, and for many years was quite popular, despite its cheapness, due to its side effect - toxic effects on the liver, gave way to nifuroxazide - a safe antiseptic that acts exclusively in the intestines, not absorbed into blood. The most popular and recommended by doctors and pharmacists nifuroxazide is the European drug Enterofuril. Due to the presence of three forms - capsules of 100 and 200 mg, as well as a suspension of 200 mg / 5 ml, which can be given to children from 1 month, Enterofuril easy to use, and has proven itself in the rapid treatment of diarrhea caused by bacteria, but also in case of viral diarrhea Enetrofuril is justified: this drug prevents bacterial complications, almost always accompanying viral diarrhea origin.
Importantly, foreign and Russian clinical studies have proven that Enterofuril preserves the beneficial intestinal microflora, effectively eliminating such common pathogens of infection as salmonella, E. coli, shigella - the causative agent dysentery. The effect of Enterofuril against the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria, which plays a major role in the development of gastritis and stomach ulcers, has been proven.
When choosing nifuroxazide for a child, you need to be careful: the dosage of nifuroxazide recommended by the Ministry of Health for a child is 100 or 200 mg, depending on age, and in the form of a suspension of 200 mg in 5 ml. In pharmacies, there is a suspension with a higher dosage of 220 mg / 5 ml from other manufacturers (stopdiar), which tempts with a slightly lower cost. However, it is better to follow the official recommendations and not take risks: the health of the child is not a joke!
Nifuroxazide is a must-have drug in a traveler's first aid kit: changing the usual water and food is very often the cause of "traveler's diarrhea", equally insidious for both children and adults. If your child is more than 3 years old, then you can save money and take a universal dosage of Enterofuril 100 mg: an adult will take two capsules, and one is enough for a child. In addition to Enterofuril, it is recommended to use sorbents: they help to bind and remove toxins from the intestines. However, remember that in the case of a severe intestinal infection, accompanied by dehydration, intoxication and other serious symptoms, antibiotics may be required. Therefore, in any case, it will not be superfluous to consult a doctor.
