Med for diarrhea
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CDC acute diarrhea adults oral rehydration loperamide bloody fever
For most adults with short-term watery diarrhea:
- First choice: oral rehydration solution (ORS), taken frequently in small sips. This replaces water and salts.
- Loperamide can reduce stool frequency: 4 mg once, then 2 mg after each loose stool, maximum 16 mg in 24 hours. Use for no more than 2 days without medical advice.
- Bismuth subsalicylate is another OTC option, but avoid it if you are allergic to aspirin, take blood thinners, have kidney disease, are pregnant, or are treating a child/teen with a viral illness.
Do not use loperamide if there is blood or black stool, fever, severe abdominal pain/distension, or suspected food poisoning/invasive infection. Seek urgent care for dehydration, confusion, very little urine, persistent vomiting, diarrhea lasting over 2 days in adults, or sooner for infants, older adults, pregnancy, or immune suppression. NIDDK guidance supports OTC loperamide or bismuth only in appropriate uncomplicated cases.
Do not start antibiotics without a clinician.
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