Diarrhoea
● Increased frequency of bowel movement - soft or watery faeces
● Symptoms: abdominal cramps, flatulence, nausea and weakness
● Often caused by stomach bug and should stop in few days (5-7 days)
● Stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days
● Risk of severe dehydration
○ Symptoms of severe dehydration - drowsiness, confusion, passing very little
urine, dry mouth, sunken eyes, cool hands and feet
Symptoms
● Watery stools
● Abdominal cramps
● Loss of appetite
● Headache or fever
● Associated nausea and vomiting
Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) - Dioralyte
To prevent or correct diarrhoea dehydration and to maintain the appropriate fluid intake once
rehydration is achieved
Suitable for all ages
Sachets - sodium, glucose and potassium
Kept in fridge for 24 hours
Caution : diabetes
Loperamide hydrochloride 2mg - Imodium
Reduces duration of diarrhoea, improves Sx, reduces stool frequency, improves consistency of
stooks
SE: headache, flatulence, nausea
Not for <12 years or breast feeding
Best to use with ORT
Take 2 capsules initially, followed by one capsule after each loose stool; maximum 16mg per
day
● Increased frequency of bowel movement - soft or watery faeces
● Symptoms: abdominal cramps, flatulence, nausea and weakness
● Often caused by stomach bug and should stop in few days (5-7 days)
● Stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days
● Risk of severe dehydration
○ Symptoms of severe dehydration - drowsiness, confusion, passing very little
urine, dry mouth, sunken eyes, cool hands and feet
Symptoms
● Watery stools
● Abdominal cramps
● Loss of appetite
● Headache or fever
● Associated nausea and vomiting
Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) - Dioralyte
To prevent or correct diarrhoea dehydration and to maintain the appropriate fluid intake once
rehydration is achieved
Suitable for all ages
Sachets - sodium, glucose and potassium
Kept in fridge for 24 hours
Caution : diabetes
Loperamide hydrochloride 2mg - Imodium
Reduces duration of diarrhoea, improves Sx, reduces stool frequency, improves consistency of
stooks
SE: headache, flatulence, nausea
Not for <12 years or breast feeding
Best to use with ORT
Take 2 capsules initially, followed by one capsule after each loose stool; maximum 16mg per
day
