Racocadotril is a medication used to treat acute diarrhoeal episodes in children and adults which works as a peripheral enkephalinase inhibitor. Racecadotril inhibits the secretions of water and electrolytes into the intestine, unlike other opioid medications like loperamide which reduces intestinal motility.
Additionally, it has been found to be more tolerable than loperamide, as it causes less constipation and flatulence due to it's anti secretory mechanism of action.
What Is Racecadotril?
Racecadotril Mechanism Of Action
Racecadotril is a prodrug of thiorphan, which is an enkephalinase inhibitor. Inhibiting enkephalinase reduces hypersecretion of water and electrolytes into the gut without affecting basal secretion.
Racecadotril Available Strengths
Racecadotril is available in different strengths and different formulations such as capsules and granules for oral suspension.
Capsule
Racecadotril ...... 100mg (Hidrasec 100mg)
Granules for oral suspension for children are available in 2 strengths
Racecadotril ......... 10mg (Hidrasec infant)
Racecadotril .......30mg (Hidrasec Childern)
Indications & Uses Of Racecadotril.
Racecadotril is an antidiarrheal medicine recommended by a number of guidelines for the treatment of acute, secretory diarrhoea in both children and adults.
Racecadotril Contraindications.
The following are the contraindications for racecadotril usage
- Not recommended in infants less than 3 months
- Severe Vomiting
- Diarrhoea associated with Fever
- Bloody diarrhea
- Purulent stools
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.
- Fructose intolerance
- Glucose-Galactose malabsorption
- Patients who used ACE inhibitors and developed edema in the deep layers of their skin
- Kidney or Liver impairment.
Racecadotril Dosage and Administration
Administration
Granules For Oral Suspension
Granules for oral suspension may be taken with or without food. You can mix it in a glass of water or in the feeding bottle. Mix well & take immediately after preparation.
Capsule
You can take capsules with food. Just swallow as a whole don't open, break or chew. You can take the first capsule at any time of the day. The second cap should be taken before meals.
Dosage For Childerns And Adults
| Adult | Initially, a single 100 mg capsule followed by 100 mg 3 times per day. Continue treatment until 2 normal stools are recorded. Max duration of treatment: 7 days. |
| Child | use granules/powder for oral suspension in combination with oral rehydration solution Recommended dose: 1.5 mg/kg 3 times per day. Max: Approx 6 mg/kg per day. |
| Infants (>3 months) less than 9 kg | 10 mg 3 times per day |
| Infants 9 to 13 kg | 20 mg 3 times per day |
| Children 13 to 27 kg | 30 mg 3 times per day |
| Adolescent greater than 27 kg | 60 mg 3 times per day |
Racecadotril Indications During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding.
Pregnancy & Lactation
Racecadotril Side Effects
Common side effects of racecadotril include the following:
- Hypersensitivity
- Angioedema (swelling of deeper layers of the skin)
- Headache.
- Tonsillitis (particularly in infants or children).
- Rash
- Difficulty of breathing
Other serious side effects of racecadotril that require emergency medical attention include:
Life threatening anaphylaxis
Racecadotril Potential Interactions
Pro Advice 💡
Here are some pro tips about racecadotril.
- Don't use in children less than 3 months.
- Don't use it for severe diarrhea or diarrhea associated with Fever.
- Don't use racecadotril on your own for diarrhea unless your doctor advised you.
- During diarrhoea consume a low spice, easily digestible diet such as curd (which contains natural probiotics), khichdi and banana.
- continue breastfeeding in infants less than six months to prevent dehydration
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
- Do not advise this medication to anyone else, even if they have same symptoms you have.
- If you are using antihypertensive (blood pressure) drugs such as ACE inhibitors (Captopril or Enalpril), do consult your Physician before using racecadotril.
Racecadotril Available Brands
Capsule Hidrasec 100mg
Hidrasec infant 10mg (granules for oral suspension)
Hidrasec Childern 30mg (granules for oral suspension)
FAQs
Q1. What is racecadotril medicine used for?
Ans. Racecadotril is an antidiarrheal medicine with antisecretory properties that is recommended by a number of guidelines for the treatment of acute, secretory diarrhoea in children and adults.
Q2. What is the difference between loperamide and racecadotril?
Ans. Racecadotril is a specific enkephalinase inhibitor that inhibits the secretions of water and electrolytes into the intestine, unlike other opioid medications like loperamide which reduces intestinal motility. Additionally, it has been found to be more tolerable than loperamide, as it causes less constipation and flatulence due to it's anti secretory mechanism of action.
Q3. Does racecadotril stop diarrhea?
Ans. Yes, racecadotril efficiently eliminates diarrhea by reducing the secretion of water and electrolytes into the intestines without affecting the patient's intestinal motility.
Q4. What class is racecadotril?
Ans. Racecadotril belongs to antidiarrheal class of drugs most particularly enkephalinase inhibitor.
Q5. What are common side effects of racecadotril?
Ans. The common side effects of racecadotril include
- headache
- Tonsillitis
- drowsiness
- fever
- nausea
- vomiting
Q6. Is racecadotril used for loose motion?
Ans. Racecadotril is used in addition to oral rehydration therapy to treat acute, secretory diarrhoea in children and adults.
Q7. Is racecadotril an antibiotic?
Ans. No racecadotril is not an antibiotic in fact it is an antidiarrheal medicine with anti secretory properties.
Q8. Is racecadotril safe?
Ans. Racecadotril can be used to treat acute, secretory diarrhea in both children and adults. It's safe for children over 3 months age.
Q9. Is racecadotril a probiotic?
Ans. No racecadotril is not a probiotic it is an enkephalinase inhibitor antidiarrheal medicine.
Q10. What is the maximum number of days for racecadotril?
Ans. The maximum duration of use should be no more than 7 days for all age groups.
Q11. Is racecadotril safe for babies?
Ans. Racecadotril is safe to use in children above the age of three months.
Q12. Is racecadotril safe for kidney patients?
Ans. Yes, patients with kidney problems should use Racecadotril with caution.
References
Racecadotril in the Treatment of Acute Watery Diarrhea in Children | New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. www.nejm.org [Last accessed 10 October 2023].
Hidrasec 10 mg, Granules for oral suspension - medicine.Abbott - [Internet]. medicine.abbott/. [Last accessed 10 October 2023].
Racecadotril: Indication, Dosage, Side Effect and Precaution | MIMS [Internet]. mims.com [Last accessed 10 October 2023].
Disclaimer
All information on the product's uses, dosage, side effects, formula, ingredients, indications, contraindications, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and whether it is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is based solely on material found on the internet.And it is only provided here for general education and information purposes only.
We can not guarantee the accuracy of any of the information we published on this website. All of the information material we published is based only on FDA-approved literature and is not intended to replace expert medical advice.Always seek an expert medical advice from a health care provider before start using this medicine.
Dr. Mohd Kamran Karim
I am a professional doctor and an enthusiastic blogger who completed his graduation in 2013 (MBBS) and currently working as a post graduate clinical fellow. I am a medical professional with desired clinical expertise, and I want to utilize my knowledge & writing to advise my readers on how to use prescription and over-the-counter medications to minimize any adverse effects.