Category- Allopathy
Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To treat diarrhea 2. To support hydration and electrolyte balance |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Nausea, vomiting 2. Stomach pain 3. Bloating, gas 4. Headache 5. Dizziness 6. Feeling tired. |
| Additional Information | 1. It is not recommended to be taken without a doctor’s prescription or as self-medication, as it can affect your mental health and can cause depression and suicidal thoughts. |
| Storage | 1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature. 2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture. 3. Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | Mix the powder with water and drink immediately. |
Racecadotril Uses
Racecadotril 10 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the category of selective serotonin receptor agonists used to treat several types of diarrhea and support hydration.
Racecadotril side effects
More Common
- Nausea, vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Bloating, gas
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Feeling tired.
Less Common
- Tonsillitis
- Skin rash
- Swelling of face and lips
- Headache
- Difficulty breathing
How Racecadotril works
Racecadotril works by helping the gut hold on to water during diarrhea. It stops a chemical that makes the intestines leak too much fluid. Think of it like fixing a leaky tap so less water is lost.
Safety Measures and Warning
Pregnancy
Due to limited study in pregnant women, the safety of racecadotril is not established yet; therefore, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breastfeeding
Racecadotril may pass into breast milk, so it’s used cautiously during breastfeeding. Safer options are preferred, and if used, the baby should be monitored for diarrhea or drowsiness. Always consult your doctor first.
Kidney and Liver Problems
The liver and kidneys are responsible for the metabolism and excretion of the medicine, respectively. In patients with liver or kidney problems, it may be difficult to eliminate the medicine from the body. Therefore, consult a doctor before use.
Racecadotril Interaction with Food Product
Racecadotril is generally safe with food, and it is recommended to avoid alcohol and smoking with racecadotril, as they can alter the drug’s effect and may cause severe drowsiness and sedation because of their direct action on the brain.
Racecadotril Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking Racecadotril 10 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Racecadotril Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
(RS)-Benzyl N-[3-(acetyl Thio)-2-benzylpropanoyl] glycinate
Intake routine/cycle
Daily dose
Take racecadotril exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
Overdose
It is not recommended to take more than 2000 mg of racecadotril per day, as it may cause severe adverse effects like extreme drowsiness, confusion, low blood pressure, unconsciousness, high fever, severe diarrhoea, and hallucinations. Patients consuming alcohol or any antidepressant medications should not take racecadotril, as it causes severe overdose leading to potential adverse effects.
Storage
- Store the medicine at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep out of reach of children
Directions for use
- Take Racecadotril exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking Racecadotril without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take Racecadotril, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
Racecadotril Summary
Racecadotril is a medicine used to treat sudden diarrhea, especially in children and adults, by reducing the amount of water and salts released into the intestines without slowing down digestion. It belongs to a group of drugs called enkephalinase inhibitors and works by boosting natural substances in the gut that help control fluid loss. It’s usually taken before meals and doesn’t interact much with food, though it’s best to avoid it with alcohol during illness. Common side effects include nausea, headache, and mild stomach discomfort. Store it in a cool, dry place below 25°C, away from sunlight and moisture.
FAQ’s
What is the mechanism of action of racecadotril?
Racecadotril eases diarrhea by reducing excess water secretion in the intestines without slowing gut movement. It’s converted into thiorphan, which blocks enkephalinase—preserving natural enkephalins that calm fluid release via delta-opioid receptors. Think of it as turning off a leaky tap rather than clogging the drain.
What are the side effects of Racecadotril tablets?
Racecadotril causes side effects like nausea, dizziness, skin rash, and tonsillitis more commonly.
What is the Racecadotril drug class?
Racecadotril belongs to the drug class of calcium channel blockers and can show vascular effects. belongs to the class of antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism.
What is the drug class of racecadotril medicine?
Racecadotril belongs to the class of enkephalinase inhibitors used to treat diarrhea in children.
Reference
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5281040, Racecadotril. [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [cited 2025 Aug 20]. Available from.
- Drugs.com. Racécadotril (International). [Internet]. [cited 2025 Aug 20]. Available from.
- Guarino A, Dupont C, Gorelov AV, et al. Racecadotril: a safe and effective treatment for acute diarrhea in children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2016;63(6):e98–e105. [Internet]. [cited 2025 Aug 20]. Available from.
- Practo. Racecadotril – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Price, Composition. [Internet]. [cited 2025 Aug 20]. Available from.
Authors
Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy, affiliated with Andhra University, and from his 3rd year of graduation, he was working as a freelance medical and publication writer. Having expertise in systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices, he also reviewed more than 150 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Sage Journals, and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and he received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published a few systematic, narrative reviews and a few chapters of international expertise.