You usually don't need medical treatment for diarrhea. In most cases, it will go away on its own in a few days. But there are some things you can do to treat it at home that can help it resolve faster and ease your symptoms. If you have the runs for more than a few days, or you have other symptoms, it might be a good idea to give your doctor a call.
Diarrhea Treatment at Home
Diarrhea should go away in a few days without treatment. Until you feel better, rest, drink enough of the appropriate fluids, and watch what you eat. Some foods can help stop your diarrhea, while others may make it worse.
What to drink for diarrhea
Your body loses water with each trip to the bathroom. If you lose too much water, you can get dehydrated. It's important to keep drinking fluids.
Liquids that contain electrolytes (such as Gatorade or Pedialyte) can be particularly helpful when you have diarrhea. These types of drinks contain helpful levels of sodium and sugar. Sodium helps slow down the amount of water your body is losing, and sugar helps your body absorb the sodium.
You can also drink other clear liquids — water, broth, or juice that is diluted and free of pulp — to stay hydrated. Soft drinks that don’t have caffeine also are OK to drink.
Foods that stop diarrhea
The most helpful food tip to remember when you have diarrhea is to keep it simple by eating plain and basic foods. One approach is to follow the BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.
- Bananas: These have a good amount of potassium, which is an electrolyte that your body loses if you have diarrhea.
- Rice: Go for white rice instead of brown or another kind as it is easier to digest.
- Applesauce: Unsweetened is preferred.
- Toast: Choose white bread for easier digestion.
Other foods that are bland and easy on your stomach include oatmeal, boiled or baked potatoes without skin, and baked chicken without skin.
Foods with salt can also be part of your diet when you have diarrhea, such as:
- Pretzels
- Crackers
- Chicken soup
Even though dairy products in general, such as milk, cheese, and ice cream, aren’t recommended when you have diarrhea, dairy products that contain probiotics can be a good choice. This includes yogurt and kefir.
What not to eat when you have diarrhea
If you have diarrhea, some foods should be avoided because they can upset your stomach and make the diarrhea worse.
Foods you should avoid include:
- Spicy foods
- Fried or fatty foods
- Milk and dairy (except if it contains probiotics)
- Citrus fruits
- Foods that are high in sugar
- Coffee and other drinks with caffeine
- Vegetables that can give you gas, such as beans, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts
Apple cider vinegar for diarrhea
There is little medical evidence that shows apple cider vinegar directly helps treat diarrhea. However, one study indicated that if you have a bacterial infection such as E. coli (which may cause diarrhea), apple cider vinegar may help fight the infection. Since apple cider is acidic and can be harsh for a sensitive stomach, it's best to avoid apple cider vinegar when you have diarrhea, unless your doctor tells you it's OK.
Supplements for diarrhea
Several studies have shown that taking probiotics can reduce the duration of diarrhea by an average of 1 day. The probiotic should contain lactic acid bacteria (lactobacilli), which is found in dairy products such as yogurt and kefir. But you can also get the probiotic in capsule or powder supplements.
Diarrhea Treatment
If you have a mild case of diarrhea, you may decide to treat it yourself at home. You may even have some of the most common over-the-counter treatments already in your medicine cabinet. Even if you don’t take anything for it, there’s a good chance it will go away on its own in a few days. But if you want help with the symptoms, it’s good to know what treatments (over-the-counter and prescription medicines) are available, their potential side effects, and whether it’s safe for you to take a particular drug.
Anti-diarrheal medications
Most of the time, diarrhea doesn't need to be treated with medication. But some over-the-counter medicines can help you feel better. These medications are not recommended for kids. If your child has diarrhea, check with your pediatrician before trying over-the-counter meds.
Two over-the-counter medicines that can help relieve diarrhea include:
- Loperamide (Imodium): It slows the movement of food through your intestines, allowing your body to absorb more liquid.
- Bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol): It balances out how fluid moves through your digestive tract.
Anti-diarrheal medication side effects
Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicine doesn’t usually cause problems. But like other medicines, there’s always a chance you could have unwanted side effects. Some are mild, while others are more serious. Check with your doctor if you get symptoms such as:
- Belly pain
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Nausea or throwing up
- Ringing in your ears
- A skin rash
Bismuth subsalicylate can make your tongue or poop dark. These changes typically go away once you quit using the drug. You may have more side effects if you take other drugs at the same time. Some medicines may not work as well if you take them with over-the-counter anti-diarrheal drugs. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.
Traveler’s diarrhea treatment
The last thing you want when traveling is to be sick. But if you’re vacationing in a spot with unclean water or food that hasn’t been prepared safely, you could find yourself with a case of traveler’s diarrhea.
If you are traveling to a third-world country, your doctor may advise you to take Pepto-Bismol (bismuth) tablets both before you travel and while you’re on vacation to help prevent diarrhea. However, you shouldn’t take it for more than 3 weeks.
If your diarrhea is severe and you have a fever, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.
It's important to stay hydrated. Drink 8-10 cups of clear liquids, including bottled water, each day. You should drink at least a cup of liquid after having a loose bowel movement. And if you can get food down, eat small meals every few hours.
Should you take a prescription?
Your doctor may prescribe medicine to help control your symptoms if you often have diarrhea. Some of these medicines and their effects are:
Eluxadoline (Viberzi) is used to treat diarrhea caused by irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). It works by slowing down gut contractions. Potential side effects include constipation, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Rifaximin (Xifaxan) is an antibiotic that works on certain bacteria in your gut that cause diarrhea.
Alosetron (Lotronex) slows down the movement of waste in your bowel. It is only for women with serious IBS-D. Your doctor may give it to you if nothing else works. It could cause serious side effects, such as constipation and less blood flow to your colon. So, it typically should only be considered if other medicines haven’t worked.
Who shouldn’t take anti-diarrheal drugs?
Don’t try to treat your diarrhea at home if you have a fever or there’s blood in your poop. You may need an antibiotic or other medicine to get rid of bacteria or parasites.
Even though over-the-counter medicines to treat diarrhea are easy to get, some people should not take them.
Avoid loperamide (Lotramin) if you have:
- A rare heart problem called a prolonged QT interval
- Slow or irregular heartbeats
- Low potassium levels in your blood
- A fever
- Had a rash or allergic reaction when taking it in the past
- Bloody or black stools
If your child has diarrhea and is younger than 2 years, you shouldn’t give them loperamide unless your doctor says it’s OK. You should check with your doctor before giving the drug to older children, too.
Avoid bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate) if you:
- Have an allergy to aspirin
- Are younger than 12
- Are a child or teenager and may have the flu or chickenpox
Also, if you are taking other medications, you should check with your doctor before taking an anti-diarrheal medication, as it can either make your other meds less effective or cause side effects.
Diarrhea treatment in pregnancy
Like diarrhea in people who are not pregnant, your diarrhea should clear up on its own in a few days if you’re pregnant. Regardless of how long it lasts, your first concern should be to not get dehydrated. Drink plenty of clear liquids while you have diarrhea.
If the diarrhea hasn’t cleared up after a few days, you should talk to your doctor to find out if there is an underlying cause. For example, if you have a bacterial infection, your doctor might put you on antibiotics.
The only safe medication to take for diarrhea if you’re pregnant is loperamide (Imodium). But even this drug can only be taken during your first trimester and for no more than 24 hours. And some research has shown that it might pose a risk to your baby's heart development. Speak to your doctor before taking loperamide.
Chronic diarrhea treatment
If you have chronic diarrhea, you should see your doctor to find out if there are any underlying causes, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or a bacterial or parasitic infection.
Your doctor will likely perform some tests to diagnose any condition that could be causing the diarrhea. Based on the diagnosis, they will recommend treatment for the condition, which could then help resolve the diarrhea.
Based on the underlying cause of your chronic diarrhea, your doctor will determine the best treatment.
- Opioids and opioid agonists (Imodium and Lomotil) are considered the most effective if you have chronic diarrhea.
- Clonidine is often effective in treating diarrhea if you have IBS or diabetes.
- Somatostatin can be used if you have AIDS, have completed chemotherapy, or have certain types of tumors.
- Alosetron may be used for severe cases of IBS.
- Antimicrobials can be taken for bacterial or parasitic infections.
Diarrhea Treatment for Kids
When your child gets diarrhea, it can be unpleasant for both you and them. And depending on how old they are, they might not understand that they just have to live with it for a few days before it may go away. So, it’s important for you to know what is the best way to treat your kid’s diarrhea.
Diarrhea medicine for kids
If your child has diarrhea and is dehydrated, the best liquid to give them is known as oral rehydration solutions, such as Pedialyte. These can be bought at drug stores or big box stores.
Symptoms of dehydration include a dry mouth, increased thirst, reduced urine, lack of tears when crying, and sunken eyes.
Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicines generally aren’t advised for infants or children because the risks exceed the benefits. Antibiotics typically aren’t recommended unless your doctor is able to identify the specific cause of the diarrhea.
Most cases of diarrhea clear up on their own, but you should seek immediate medical attention if your child experiences any of the following:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Your infant refuses to eat or drink for more than a few hours (more than 8 hours in case of a child)
- Moderate to severe hydration that doesn’t respond to increased fluids
- Persistent stomach pain
- Severe and repeated vomiting
How to stop diarrhea in infants
If your baby has diarrhea, it’s important to continue giving them fluids. If you give your infant formula, feed them more often than usual. If you breastfeed your infant, give them breast milk more often. If you can’t provide them with enough fluid, you can supplement with formula.
If they are also on baby food, continue to give it to them. Cereals are considered best if infants have diarrhea.
You can also give your infant an oral rehydrating solution, such as Pedialyte. For babies, give them 2-4 ounces after each watery stool.
Be aware that for infants, loose stools can last up to 2 weeks.
Studies have found that the drug racecadotril (acetorphan) is safe and effective for babies older than 3 months and reduces the amount of poop and the duration of the diarrhea. Your doctor would have to prescribe this drug.
Takeaways
Diarrhea is common in adults and children. If mild, it can often be left alone and will go away after a few days. But the symptoms can be unpleasant, in which case you may want to modify your diet and take over-the-counter medications. These medications can make you feel better and lessen the trips to the bathroom. With diarrhea, though, you should always be cautious and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. If diarrhea or dehydration gets severe or lasts longer than a few days, you might want to contact your doctor.
Diarrhea Treatment FAQs
What is the fastest way to cure diarrhea?
Modifying your diet to eat plain, bland food; drinking water and other clear liquids; and taking anti-diarrheal medications may help you get rid of diarrhea quicker if your case is mild. And if your child has a severe case of diarrhea, your doctor might prescribe racecadotril, which is shown to ease the symptoms of diarrhea and shorten its duration by a day.
What is the best medication for diarrhea?
There is no one best medication, as what helps one person might not help you. The most common over-the-counter medications include loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate) to treat the symptoms of diarrhea.
How long does diarrhea last?
Mild cases of diarrhea typically last a few days in adults, but it can last 5-14 days in infants.