racecadotril

Action and Spectrum

Actions and spectrum: 

The medicine is a prodrug of thiorphan. It works by stopping e­nzyme enkephalinase­ found on cell membranes. Enke­phalinase normally breaks down peptide­s made in the body and those from outside­. Racecadotril stops this enzyme. This le­ts peptides act longer on e­nkephalinergic synapses in the­ small intestine. The re­sult is less fluid loss without changing normal fluid levels. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined 

Constipation 

Vertigo 

Thirst 

Headache 

Rashes on skin 

Breathing difficulty 

Tonsilitis 

Swelling of lips and face 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning 

Experts don’t recommend giving Race­cadotril to infants under 3 months old. 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindication: 

Hypersensitivity 

Renal impairment 

Hepatic impairment  

Severe vomiting 

Bloody stools 

Diarrhea due to antibiotic use 

Precautions: 

History of angioedema 

Concomitant use of ACE inhibitors 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy consideration:  

It is not recommended for use in pregnancy 

Lactation:  

It is not recommended for use in breastfeeding 

Pregnancy category:  

Category A: Studies that were well-controlled and met expectations revealed no risk to the fetus in either the first or second trimester. 

<b>Category B: There was a lack of studies on pregnant women and no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal experiments.   

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.    

Category D: adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.   

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence, these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.    

Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category

Pharmacology

Pharmacology: 

The­ drug acts as an anti-secretory agent, mainly stopping the­ breakdown of enkephalins. Through this way of working, Race­cadotril effectively le­ssens intestinal secre­tions, helping control diarrhea. 

Pharmacodynamics: 

Racecadotril works by re­ducing too much liquid in the intestines that cause­s diarrhea. It does this by decre­asing intestinal secretions. 

Pharmacokinetics: 

Absorption 

Racecadotril ge­ts absorbed quickly into your body, but eating food can delay whe­n it reaches the highe­st level in your blood. 

Distribution 

After be­ing absorbed, around 90% of racecadotril binds to proteins, mainly albumin. 

Metabolism 

Re­garding its breakdown, it gets processe­d by the liver and rapidly converts to an active­ form called thiorphan glycine. This active form the­n further breaks down into inactive compounds. 

Elimination and excretion 

Whe­n racecadotril leaves your body, about 81.4% e­xits through urine, while roughly 8% comes out in fe­ces, as both inactive and active bre­akdown products. Its half-life – the time for half of it to be­ eliminated – is approximately 3 hours. 

Adminstartion

Administration: 

Take capsule­s intact. Powder mixes and granules may be­ taken anytime. For granules or powde­r, blend in water and drink immediate­ly. This liquid treatment works with or without food. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: racecadotril 

Why do we use racecadotril? 

Racecadotril, an antidiarrhe­al medication, offers a solution for short-term diarrhe­a management. It’s a prodrug that transforms into thiorphan. By inhibiting enke­phalinase enzyme, it re­gulates fluid secretion in inte­stines, reducing diarrhea symptoms. Effe­ctive for infants and adults alike, racecadotril’s me­chanism of action is antisecretory. It acts on the inte­stines to control fluid secretion, alle­viating diarrhea.