• M A Kaplan, M J Prior, R R Ash, K I McKonly, E C Helzner, and E B Nelson.
• Medical Department, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Fort Washington, Pa., USA. mkaplan@mccus.jnj.com
• Arch Fam Med. 1999 May 1; 8 (3): 243-8.

ContextAcute diarrhea with gas-related abdominal discomfort is a common, usually self-limited disorder with substantial social and economic impact.ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of a loperamide hydrochloride-simethicone combination product with those of loperamide alone, simethicone alone, and placebo in treating acute diarrhea with gas-related abdominal discomfort.DesignRandomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of 48 hours' duration.SettingA primary care, ambulatory practice in Acapulco, Mexico.PatientsA total of 493 outpatient adults aged 18 to 63 years, with acute nonspecific diarrhea with at least moderately severe abdominal discomfort.InterventionsEach patient was randomly assigned to receive 2 chewable tablets containing loperamide hydrochloride, 2 mg, and simethicone, 125 mg (n = 124); loperamide hydrochloride, 2 mg (n = 123); simethicone, 125 mg (n = 123); or placebo (n = 123). This was followed by 1 tablet after each unformed stool, up to 4 tablets in any 24-hour period.Main Outcome MeasuresTime to last unformed stool and time to complete relief of gas-related abdominal discomfort were the protocol-specified primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included time to complete relief of diarrhea, number of unformed stools, and patient-assessed variables at the end of the study (overall illness relief, diarrhea relief, and abdominal discomfort relief).ResultsPatients who received loperamide-simethicone had significantly (P < .001) shorter time to last unformed stool and faster relief of gas-related abdominal discomfort than patients who received loperamide, simethicone, or placebo alone. Loperamide-simethicone was significantly (P < or = .01) more effective than the other 3 treatments for all end-of-study patient-assessed outcomes and all clinically important secondary outcomes. No significant differences in adverse events were found among treatment groups.ConclusionsThe loperamide-simethicone combination chewable product provides faster and more complete relief of acute nonspecific diarrhea and associated gas-related abdominal discomfort (gas pain, cramps, gas pressure, and bloating) than either of its components or placebo. The combination is well tolerated.

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