Condition

Diarrhea & Dysentery

Treatments for diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, and stomach infections

28 drugs
12 OTC
18 Prescription

Oral Rehydration Therapy

Replaces lost fluids and electrolytes in body

2

Anhydrous Glucose; Sodium Chloride; Sodium Citrate; Potassium Chloride

OTC

Dehydration from diarrhea (running stomach), vomiting, cholera, food poisoning, heat exhaustion, and fluid loss from heavy sweating

Alben ORSJessy Oral Rehydrated Salt

Sodium Chloride; Potassium Chloride; Anhydrous Glucose

OTC

Dehydration from diarrhea (running stomach), vomiting, cholera, food poisoning, dehydration from heat or heavy sweating

Mic-Oral SachetsOral Rehydrated Salt BPZozo Oral Rehydration Salt

Antidiarrheal and stomach protectant

Stops diarrhea and protects stomach lining

1

Bismuth Subsalicylate

OTC

Diarrhea (running stomach), heartburn, indigestion, nausea (feeling like you want to vomit), stomach upset, traveler's diarrhea

Abdoe-BismuthPepto Bismuth Ultra Suspension

Antibiotic

Fluoroquinolone

2

Ciprofloxacin

Prescription

Typhoid, urinary tract infections (UTI), serious stomach infections (running stomach caused by bacteria), bone and joint infections, skin infections, eye and ear infections, chest infections like pneumonia

AC-Ciprofloxacin TabletAquacipro Tablets 500mgAvrocipro CapletBactaforte Eye OintmentBerlin Ciprofloxacin TabletsBiocipro TabletBiopharma Ciprofloxacin 500 TabletsBiosphere Ciprofloxacin Eye/Ear Drops

Moxifloxacin

Prescription

Serious chest infections (pneumonia), sinus infections, bronchitis, skin infections, eye infections (conjunctivitis, eye ulcers), complicated stomach infections, typhoid that doesn't respond to other antibiotics

Avelox Intravenous InfusionBondmoxacin Eye DropKetomox EyedropsMicromox 400 TabletsMicromox Eye DropsMoloxan Eye DropsMoxifloxacin Hydrochloride Eye DropsMoxifloxacin Ophthalmic Solution

Antibiotic + Antiparasitic

Fluoroquinolone + Nitroimidazole combination

1

Ciprofloxacin; Tinidazole

Prescription

Typhoid, serious diarrhoea (running stomach), dysentery, stomach and intestinal infections, urinary tract infections (urine infections), pelvic infections, dental infections, and other infections caused by bacteria and parasites

AC-Ciprotinad TabletAvroflox TnBreprodazole TabletCenox-TN TabletCiprostat + TN TabletsCiprotab-TNCiprox-T TabletsEdencip-TN Tablet

Carbohydrate / Nutritional supplement

Provides essential nutrients and energy to body

1

Glucose

OTC

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), dehydration, energy supply during hospital admission when patient cannot eat, fluid replacement after vomiting or diarrhea, mixing with other IV drugs for drip administration

10% Dextrose5% Dextrose Infusion50% DextroseBioflex Dextrose 10% in WaterBioflex Dextrose 5% in WaterUnidex-10 InfusionUnidex-5 InfusionUnidex-50 Infusion

Intravenous fluid and electrolyte replenisher

Replenishes fluids and electrolytes in the body

1

Glucose; Sodium Chloride

Prescription

Dehydration, loss of body fluids (from vomiting, diarrhoea, or fever), low blood sugar, providing energy and fluids during hospital admission, replacing salts and water lost during illness like malaria or typhoid

4.3% Dextrose and Saline Infusion4.3% Dextrose Saline5% Dextrose and Normal Saline Infusion5% Dextrose SalineBioflex Dexrose 4.3% in Sodium Chloride 0.18% Inf.Bioflex Dextrose 5% in Sodium Chloride 0.9% InfusionDele Fluids Dextrose 4.3%w/v + 0.18%w/v Sodium ChlorideDele Fluids Dextrose 5%w/v + 0.9%w/v Sodium Chloride

Antidiarrhoeal

adsorbent

1

Light Kaolin

OTC

Diarrhoea (running stomach), loose stools, upset stomach

Avro Antidiarrhoeal MixtureDianon SuspensionDiastop Suspension

Anti-diarrheal

Stops diarrhea and prevents dehydration

1

Loperamide Hydrochloride

OTC

Running stomach (diarrhea), loose stool, watery stool, traveler's diarrhea, stomach upset with frequent purging

AC-Motil CapsuleAlapharm Loperamide CapsulesAnimotil TabletsDiadon CapsulesDiaflush Capsules USP 2mgDiaoff CapsulesDiarrax CapsulesDxtmide Capsules 2mg

Antibiotic and Antiparasitic

Nitroimidazole

2

Metronidazole

Prescription

Stomach infections (amoeba), diarrhea caused by germs, dental infections, vaginal infections, wound infections, stomach ulcer (works alongside other drugs to kill the H. pylori bacteria), pelvic infections, infections after surgery

Amebanil SuspensionAmebanil TabletAmibagyl SuspensionAmibagyl TabletsAusgyl 200mg TabletAusgyl 400mg TabletAvrogyl 400 TabletAvrogyl Paediatric Suspension

Tinidazole

Prescription

Amoeba infection (amoebiasis), giardia infection (running stomach caused by parasites), bacterial vaginosis (vaginal infection with discharge and odour), trichomoniasis (sexually transmitted infection), dental infections, stomach ulcer caused by H. pylori bacteria

Hantimax-500 TabletTinimark

Antifungal

Fights fungal infections in the body

1

Nystatin

OTC

Mouth thrush (white patches in the mouth), throat yeast infection, stomach and intestinal fungal infections, vaginal yeast infection (candidiasis), skin fungal infections, nappy rash caused by yeast

Biomestatine TabletsDonystatin CreamKenstatin Oral SuspensionKenstatin TabletsKrishat Nystatin Oral Suspension BPMyconys Oral SuspensionMystatin Oral SuspensionNystatin Oral Drops

Antibiotic and Antiparasitic combination

Fluoroquinolone + Nitroimidazole

1

Ofloxacin; Ornidazole

Prescription

Diarrhoea (running stomach), dysentery, typhoid-related stomach infections, pelvic infections in women, dental infections, wound infections with pus, urinary tract infections (UTI), and other infections where both bacteria and parasites may be involved

Apriflox-Oz TabletsDenflox 200mg/500mg TabletDuozol TabletsEcoflocin Plus TabletsNidof TabletOflodazole Tablets 200mg/500mgOflonidaOfloxamet Plus Tablets

Electrolyte and fluid replacement

Replaces lost fluids and electrolytes in the body

2

Oral Rehydration Salts

OTC

Diarrhoea (running stomach), vomiting, dehydration from cholera, dehydration from heat or excessive sweating, fluid loss from fever

Emzolyte ORS PowderOral Rehydration SaltPinnacle ORSYtalyte Orange Oral Rehydration SaltsYtalyte ORS

Sodium Chloride

OTC

Dehydration, fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhoea, wound cleaning, eye irrigation, nasal congestion, replacing body fluids during surgery or hospital admission, heat exhaustion

Bioflex Normal Saline InfusionIntravenous Infusion Normal Saline 0.9% w/vNormal SalineNormal Saline Infusion Sodium Chloride 0.9g/500mLSalacyn 5% Eye DropsUnisal Infusion

Electrolyte Replacement and Mineral Supplement (Zinc)

Replaces lost salts and minerals in body

1

Oral Rehydration Salts; Zinc

OTC

Diarrhea (running stomach), dehydration from stooling or vomiting, cholera-related fluid loss, prevention of future diarrhea episodes in children

Emzolyte Plus ORSOralsalt

Electrolyte supplement

mineral supplement

1

Potassium chloride

Prescription

Low potassium levels (hypokalemia), potassium loss from diarrhea or vomiting, potassium loss caused by water tablets (diuretics), muscle weakness or cramps due to low potassium

Srowk TabletsUwans Potassium Chloride Injection 15% w/v

Proton Pump Inhibitor

stomach acid reducer

1

Rabeprazole

Prescription

Stomach ulcer, heartburn (acid reflux), chest burn from stomach acid (GERD), too much stomach acid (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome), used alongside antibiotics to treat stomach infections caused by H. pylori bacteria

Pariet 20mg TabletsSal Rabeprazole Powder for Injection

Anti-diarrheal

enkephalinase inhibitor

1

Racecadotril

Prescription

Acute watery diarrhea (running stomach), purging

Hidrasec Capsule 100mgHidrasec Granules for Oral SuspensionHidrasec Granules for Oral Suspension 10mg

Probiotic

beneficial yeast supplement

1

Saccharomyces boulardii

OTC

Diarrhoea (running stomach), antibiotic-related diarrhoea, traveller's diarrhoea, stomach upset from infections, prevention of recurring diarrhoea caused by a germ called Clostridium difficile

Bioflor 100mg Powder for Oral SolutionBioflor 250mg SachetScharomyces Boulardi

Antibiotic

Nitroimidazole — anti-parasitic and antibacterial

1

Secnidazole

Prescription

Stomach infections (amoeba), diarrhea caused by parasites, bacterial vaginosis (vaginal infection with discharge and odour), giardia infection, gut infections, and sometimes used alongside other drugs for H. pylori (the bacteria that causes stomach ulcer)

Bactrosec Tablet 500mgGresec TabletsSecwid TabletsSwisec-500 TabletsTagera Forte Tablet

Electrolyte and fluid replacement solution

Replaces lost fluids and electrolytes in the body

1

Sodium Lactate; Sodium Chloride; Potassium Chloride

Prescription

Dehydration, loss of body fluids from diarrhoea or vomiting, electrolyte imbalance, fluid replacement during or after surgery, cholera-related dehydration

Darrow`s Full Strength Intravenous InfusionDarrow`s Half Strength Intravenous InfusionDele Fluids 500mL Darrow's Solution Intravenous InjectionFull Strength Darrow’sHalf Strength Darrow’sUnidar-F Infusion

Intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement solution

Replaces lost fluids and electrolytes in the body

1

Sodium Lactate; Sodium Chloride; Potassium Chloride; Calcium Chloride

Prescription

Dehydration from diarrhoea or vomiting, fluid loss from surgery or burns, blood loss, replacing body fluids during hospital treatment, electrolyte (body salt) imbalance

Dele Fluids Ringer Lactate SolutionRinger Lactate InfusionUnihart Infusion

Antibiotic

Sulfonamide combination

1

Sulfamethoxazole; Trimethoprim

Prescription

Urinary tract infections (urine infections), typhoid, ear infections, chest infections (bronchitis, pneumonia), diarrhea caused by bacteria, skin infections, and prevention of infections in people with weak immune systems including HIV patients

Arintrim TabletsAvrotrim Paediatric Dispersible TabletAvrotrim SuspensionAvrotrim TabletBiomedical Co-Trimoxazole SuspensionButrim TabletsCaretrimChemotrim Tablets

Antibiotic

Tetracycline class

1

Tetracycline Hydrochloride

Prescription

Typhoid, cholera, chest infections, urinary tract infections (UTI), skin infections like acne, eye infections, stomach ulcer caused by bacteria (H. pylori), sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea and chlamydia

Alben Tetracycline 250mg CapsuleAuscel TetracyclineKrishat OxytetracyclineLatetra CapsuleMaxcyclin CapsulesNemel Tetracycline CapsuleSalmycin 250 CapsulesTetrakris

Antibiotic

Glycopeptide

1

Vancomycin

Prescription

Serious skin infections, bloodstream infections (sepsis), bone infections, heart valve infections (endocarditis), severe diarrhoea caused by C. difficile bacteria, MRSA infections (infections caused by bacteria that resist most common antibiotics)

Malven Vancomycin Hydrochloride InjectionVancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection

Mineral supplement

Trace element

1

Zinc

OTC

Diarrhoea in children (shortens how long it lasts), zinc deficiency, boosting immunity, poor appetite, slow wound healing, supporting recovery during infections

Alben Zinc Sulphate TabletAlben Zinc Sulphate Tablet 50mgArchy Zinc Sulphate Tablet USP 20mgAVRO-Z 25mg TabletAvro-Z 50mg TabletBiozink TabletEmzor Paediatric Zinc Sulphate TabletEmzor Paediatric Zinc Tablet

When to see a doctor

Seek care if you notice any of the following

  • You have severe vomiting that lasts for more than 2 days, or you are vomiting blood.
  • You have diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days, or you have more than 10 bowel movements in a day.
  • You have a fever that lasts for more than 3 days, or your body temperature is above 38°C (100.4°F).
  • You have blood in your stool, or your stool has a strong, unpleasant odor.
  • You are unable to keep fluids down, or you are showing signs of dehydration such as excessive thirst, dark urine, or dizziness.

For guidance only — always consult a qualified healthcare provider.