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ALIMENTARY TRACT AND METABOLISM › ANTIDIARRHEALS, INTESTINAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY/ANTIINFECTIVE AGENTS › OTHER ANTIDIARRHEALS › Other antidiarrheals
racecadotril
A07XA04
Forms & Strengths
- Oral granules: 10 mg, 30 mg
- Capsules: 100 mg
Adult Dosing
- Acute diarrhea: 100 mg orally three times daily, preferably before meals
- Duration of treatment: Maximum 7 days
Pediatric Dosing
- Infants and children > 1 month: Approximately 1.5 mg/kg per dose three times daily
- 10 mg granules (< 9 kg): One sachet three times daily
- 10 mg granules (9-13 kg): Two sachets three times daily
- 30 mg granules (13-27 kg): One sachet three times daily
- 30 mg granules (> 27 kg): Two sachets three times daily
- Duration of treatment: Maximum 7 days
Indications
- Adjunctive treatment of acute diarrhea in adults and children (alongside oral rehydration)
Mechanism of Action
- Pro-drug cleaved to thiorphan, an active metabolite
- Inhibits enkephalinase (neutral endopeptidase) in the intestinal tract
- Protects endogenous enkephalins from enzymatic degradation
- Reduces hypersecretion of water and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to racecadotril or any excipients
- Chronic diarrhea
- Diarrhea caused by antibiotics (pseudomembranous colitis) or invasive bacteria
Adverse Reactions
- Common: Headache
- Uncommon: Somnolence, rash, erythema
- Rare: Angioedema, urticaria, toxic skin eruptions
Drug Interactions
- ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril, captopril): Increased risk of angioedema due to concomitant neutral endopeptidase and ACE inhibition
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use