LOPERAMIDE OXIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE DIARRHEA IN ADULTS

We evaluated two doses of loperamide oxide (1 mg and 2 mg) and placebo in the treatment of acute diarrhea in 230 adult patients. Two tablets were taken initially and then one tablet after each watery, loose, or pasty stool to a maximum of eight tablets per day. The median time to complete relief was 27 hours 55 minutes for the 1-mg loperamide oxide group, 25 hours for the 2-mg loperamide oxide group, and 40 hours 35 minutes for the placebo group (P < 0.05). The investigator rated treat ment as good or excellent for 78% of patients in each group treated wi th loperamide oxide and 62% of patients who received placebo. Constipa tion-like periods were no more common with loperamide oxide than with placebo. Adverse events were reported by four patients given loperamid e oxide and three patients given placebo. The results demonstrate supe rior efficacy of loperamide oxide compared with placebo in the treatme nt of acute diarrhea in adults; because both doses of loperamide oxide are equally effective, the lower (1-mg) dose is preferred.