DRUG THERAPY OF ACUTE DIARRHEA: RACECADOTRIL

Key words: Racecadotril, Acute diarrhea, Intestinal secretion, Stool output

Racecadotril, through the competitive inhibition of enkephalinase, increases the activity of endogenous enkephalines and reduces the intestinal secretion in vitro and in animal models. Clinical trials showed its efficacy in acute diarrhea of adults and children. The most relevant finding is its ability to rapidly reduce the stool output. In this paper are briefly discussed the clinical indications and the safety profile of the drug.