Home Symptoms Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea — what to take?

Diarrhoea = 3+ loose/watery stools in 24h. Acute (under 14 days, usually viral) or chronic. The main risk is dehydration, especially in children and the elderly.

5 recommended OTC drugs
4,387 pharmacies available

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for diarrhoea

Informativ. Nu înlocuiește sfatul medicului. Consultă medicul sau farmacistul înainte de a lua orice medicament.

Common causes

Viral (rotavirus, norovirus) - the most common. Bacterial (Salmonella, E. coli, Shigella, Campylobacter) after contaminated food. Parasites (Giardia). Medications (antibiotics - can cause C. difficile colitis). Chronic syndromes: lactose intolerance, coeliac disease, IBS.

OTC treatment

Oral rehydration salts (ORS) - the absolute essential. A sachet of GES 45 or Humana Elektrolyt dissolved in 200-250 ml of water. Adults: 100-200 ml after each stool. Children: 10 ml/kg after each loose stool.

Loperamide (Imodium) - reduces intestinal motility. Useful for mild diarrhoea in adults. CONTRAINDICATED in bloody diarrhoea, high fever or in children under 12 without medical advice.

Diosmectite (Smecta) - adsorbs toxins and water. Harmless; can be given to children and pregnant women.

Probiotics (Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus GG) shorten the duration of diarrhoea by ~1 day. Racecadotril (Hidrasec) is an antisecretory useful in children.

Diet in diarrhoea

  • BRAT: bananas, rice, apple sauce, toast - easily digestible carbohydrates.
  • Avoid: dairy, coffee, alcohol, fats, insoluble fibres.
  • Small, frequent portions.
  • Water, weak tea, clear broth.

When to see a doctor

Invasive bacterial diarrhoea (with blood, high fever) may require antibiotics - but only prescribed after evaluation. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a physician or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Nights, weekends, holidays

24/7 pharmacies for diarrhoea

Diarrhoea doesn't wait for office hours. If you need a medicine at 2 AM or on a weekend, open the map with the 24/7 filter on and find the nearest on-call pharmacy. Major cities have several round-the-clock pharmacies — the per-city pages below list them all, with address, phone and verified opening hours.

Call ahead before you leave, especially at night — on-call schedules can change and stock for some prescription items may be limited between deliveries.

Search the pharmacy

Medicine categories for diarrhoea

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for diarrhoea

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For diarrhoea most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for diarrhoea runs over weeks.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Diarrhoea with blood or purulent mucus
  • Fever above 38.5°C
  • More than 6 stools per day in an adult
  • Signs of severe dehydration
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Duration over 5 days without improvement

Frequently asked

Common questions

Can I take Imodium for diarrhoea with fever?
No - in diarrhoea with fever or blood, loperamide is contraindicated. Use oral rehydration and consult a doctor.
How long should diarrhoea last?
Viral diarrhoea lasts 3-5 days, mild bacterial 5-7 days. Beyond 7 days requires medical evaluation.
Do probiotics help?
Yes - Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus GG shorten duration by ~1 day. Take them at a distance from antibiotics (2-3h).
What do I drink when I have diarrhoea?
First: oral rehydration salts. Alternatives: water, clear broth, weak tea, coconut water. Avoid sweet juices.

See also

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