Racecadotril
Racecadotril
Racecadotril (pronounced: rah-SEH-ka-doh-tril), also known as acetorphan, is a medication primarily used in the treatment of acute diarrhea. It is an antidiarrheal agent that works by preventing the breakdown of endogenous enkephalins which have an inhibitory effect on the secretion of water and electrolytes into the intestine.
Etymology
The term "Racecadotril" is derived from its chemical name, which is (RS)-2-(acetyloxy)-4-[[2-(benzoylamino)-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino]butanoic acid. The name "acetorphan" is a portmanteau of "acetate" and "orphan", referring to its status as an orphan drug.
Usage
Racecadotril is used in the treatment of acute diarrhea in adults and children. It is also used in the management of chronic diarrhea associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Crohn's disease. It is usually taken orally, in the form of capsules or granules.
Mechanism of Action
Racecadotril works by inhibiting the enzyme enkephalinase, which breaks down endogenous enkephalins. These enkephalins have an inhibitory effect on the secretion of water and electrolytes into the intestine. By preventing their breakdown, Racecadotril reduces the excessive secretion of water and electrolytes, thereby reducing the symptoms of diarrhea.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Racecadotril include headache, rash, and nausea. In rare cases, it may cause angioedema or hypersensitivity reactions.
Related Terms
- Antidiarrheal
- Enkephalinase
- Endogenous enkephalins
- Acute diarrhea
- Chronic diarrhea
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Crohn's disease
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Racecadotril
- Wikipedia's article - Racecadotril
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski