A drug for the treatment of diarrhea associated with anti-HIV drugs such as nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors.
Trade name Fulyzaq
Oral tablets with little or no absorption from the gut.
Other possible uses include diarrhea in children, acute infectious diarrhea, and diarrhea in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Treats the symptoms of disease, but it is not used to treat infectious diarrhea by a bacteria, virus or parasite.
Blocks chloride channels, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and the calcium-activated chloride channel anoctamin.
Channel inhibition results in fewer chloride ions excreted into the gut, which also decreases the excretion of sodium ions and water, improving stool consistency and reducing duration of diarrhea.
Does not involve sodium and potassium channels.
The drug is virtually not absorbed from the gut and is excreted with the stool.
Only adverse effects are mild gastrointestinal effects.