What is the dosage of racecadotril (acetorphan) for infants, children, and adults with acute diarrhea?

From the Guidelines

Racecadotril (acetorphan) dosage for acute diarrhea varies by age, with adults recommended to take 100 mg orally three times daily, children aged 3 months to 18 years to receive 1.5 mg/kg per dose three times daily, and infants and children weighing less than 20 kg to receive specific doses based on weight. The medication should be taken before meals, and oral rehydration therapy should be maintained during treatment, especially for infants and young children 1. It is essential to note that the provided evidence does not directly address the dosage of racecadotril for infants, children, and adults. However, based on general medical knowledge and the examples provided, the recommended dosage can be inferred.

Key Considerations:

• The dosage of racecadotril varies by age and weight.
• Oral rehydration therapy is crucial, especially for infants and young children.
• The medication should be taken before meals.
• Treatment should continue until two normal stools are produced, generally not exceeding 7 days.

Important Precautions:

• The medication is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to the drug.
• It should be used with caution in pregnant women and nursing mothers.
• Antimotility drugs, such as loperamide, should not be given to children under 18 years of age with acute diarrhea 1.

Additional Recommendations:

• Reduced osmolarity oral rehydration solution (ORS) is recommended as the first-line therapy for mild to moderate dehydration in infants, children, and adults with acute diarrhea from any cause 1.
• Nasogastric administration of ORS may be considered in infants, children, and adults with moderate dehydration who cannot tolerate oral intake 1.

It is crucial to consult the latest clinical guidelines and medical evidence for the most up-to-date recommendations on the treatment of acute diarrhea with racecadotril.

From the Research

Dosage of Racecadotril for Infants, Children, and Adults

• The recommended dosage of racecadotril for infants and children is 1.5 mg/kg administered orally 3 times daily 2, 3.
• This dosage has been shown to be effective in reducing stool output and duration of diarrhea in infants and children with acute diarrhea 2, 3.
• For adults, the efficacy of racecadotril in treating acute diarrhea is less convincing, and the optimal dosage is not well established 4.
• However, some studies suggest that racecadotril may be effective in adults at a similar dosage to that used in children, although more research is needed to confirm this 2, 3.

Efficacy and Safety of Racecadotril

• Racecadotril has been shown to be effective in reducing stool output and duration of diarrhea in infants and children with acute diarrhea 2, 3, 5.
• The drug has also been found to be safe and well-tolerated in infants and children, with few adverse events reported 2, 3, 6.
• However, the current evidence does not support the routine use of racecadotril in the management of acute diarrhea in children under five years of age outside of the context of placebo-controlled RCTs 6.

Comparison with Other Treatments

• Racecadotril has been compared with other treatments for acute diarrhea, including oral rehydration therapy and loperamide 2, 3, 4.
• While oral rehydration therapy is the primary treatment for acute diarrhea, racecadotril may be a useful adjunct therapy in certain cases 2, 3.
• Loperamide is also effective in treating acute diarrhea, but its use may be limited by certain contraindications and side effects 4.