Comparison of racecadotril and loperamide in adults with acute diarrhoea.
METHODS
A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, double-placebo, parallel-group study was carried out to compare the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of racecadotril (100 mg three times daily) and loperamide (2 mg after each diarrhoeic stool) in 157 adults with acute diarrhoea. Patients were treated for 7 days or until recovery, if this took place earlier.


RESULTS
Both groups of patients passed similar numbers (mean +/- S.E.M.) of stools before recovery (3.5 +/- 0.5 for racecadotril vs. 2.9 +/- 0.4 for loperamide), and the duration of diarrhoea (mean +/- S.E.M.) was similar in both groups (14.9 +/- 2.0 h for racecadotril and 13.7 +/- 2.2 h for loperamide). Both treatments reduced the incidence of associated symptoms and signs during the study, and both were similarly well tolerated. However, more patients on loperamide reported rebound constipation during treatment (18.7% vs. 9.8% with racecadotril).


CONCLUSIONS
The enkephalinase inhibitor, racecadotril, and the intestinal transit inhibitor, loperamide, were similarly and rapidly effective in resolving the symptoms and associated signs of diarrhoea.
Vetel
J M
JM
Centre Hospitalier, Le Mans, Paris, France. vetel@cybercable.tm.fr
Berard
H
H
Fretault
N
N
Lecomte
J M
JM
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008139:Loperamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D015260:Neprilysin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015244:Thiorphan / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D008139:Loperamide; C049331:racecadotril; D015244:Thiorphan; D015260:Neprilysin