US Medical Term · medications
Antidiarrheal
Antidiarreico
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Antidiarrheal |
| Spanish (Español) | Antidiarreico |
| Chinese (中文) | 止瀉藥 |
| Korean (한국어) | 지사제 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Thuốc cầm tiêu chảy |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Antidiarrheal |
| Portuguese (Português) | Antidiarreico |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ยาหยุดท้องเสีย |
| Japanese (日本語) | 止瀉薬 |
What it means
Antidiarrheal medications slow down bowel movements and reduce the frequency of loose stools. Common options include loperamide (Imodium), available over the counter, and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol). They are used for short-term diarrhea caused by infections, food intolerance, or travel. Loperamide slows gut motility; bismuth has mild antimicrobial properties. Staying well hydrated is essential during diarrhea to prevent dehydration — especially in children and older adults. Do not use antidiarrheals if diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection with fever or bloody stool, as slowing the gut can worsen these conditions. See a doctor if diarrhea lasts more than two days.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
Is loperamide safe to use for my diarrhea and how often can I take it?
¿El loperamide es seguro para mi diarrea y con qué frecuencia puedo tomarlo?
Can I give my child an antidiarrheal medication or is it not safe for kids?
¿Puedo darle a mi hijo un medicamento antidiarreico o no es seguro para niños?
When should diarrhea prompt a visit to the doctor instead of using a medication?
¿Cuándo debería ir al médico por la diarrea en lugar de usar un medicamento?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026