Hesperian Health Guides
Other Medicines for Diarrhea
HealthWiki > New Where There Is No Doctor > Belly Pain, Diarrhea, and Worms > Other Medicines for Diarrhea
Diloxanide furoate
Diloxanide is used in combination with antibiotics to treat amebas. If you cannot get this medicine, try paromomycin or iodoquinol instead.
Occasionally causes gas, stomach pain, or nausea. Take with food.
Do not use diloxanide during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Avoid this medicine while breastfeeding.
Under 3 years: give 62 mg (⅛ of a 500 mg tablet), 3 times a day for 10 days.
3 to 7 years: give 125 mg, 3 times a day for 10 days.
8 to 12 years: give 250 mg, 3 times a day for 10 days.
Over 12 years: give 500 mg, 3 times a day for 10 days.
Quinacrine
Quinacrine works well for treating giardia, but it makes people feel very sick. It is used because it is inexpensive.
Headaches, dizziness, and vomiting are common.
Over 10 years: give 100 mg, 3 times a day for 1 week.
Zinc
Zinc helps people with diarrhea get better faster. It should be given along with rehydration drink.
For babies, tablets can be ground up and mixed with breast milk or a little water. You may be able to get a “dispersible tablet” which dissolves quickly and easily in liquid.
Over 6 months: give 20 mg, once a day for 10 to 14 days.