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Published on: January 18, 2018
Insights
Racecadotril (Hidrasec) offers symptomatic relief for acute diarrhoea by reducing intestinal fluid secretion. This enkephalinase inhibitor is a new treatment option for adults and children experiencing diarrhoea.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Diarrhoeal diseases cause 2 billion cases globally each year, leading to 1.5 million deaths in children under 5.
- Dehydration is the most severe complication of diarrhoea.
- In the UK, 10% of children under 5 present with gastroenteritis annually.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence for racecadotril (Hidrasec).
- To determine the place of racecadotril in managing acute diarrhoea.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing evidence on racecadotril.
- Analysis of its mechanism of action (enkephalinase inhibitor).
Main Results:
- Racecadotril is a novel antidiarrhoeal drug with an antisecretory mechanism.
- It is licensed for symptomatic treatment of acute diarrhoea in adults, children, and infants over 3 months.
Conclusions:
- Racecadotril represents a new class of antidiarrhoeal medication.
- It provides a valuable option for the symptomatic management of acute diarrhoea.
Abstract:
Worldwide, there are about two billion cases of diarrhoeal disease every year and it is the second leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age, killing 1.5 million children annually.(1) The most severe threat posed by diarrhoea is dehydration. In the UK, the incidence of diarrhoea is about one episode per person per year,(2) and approximately 10% of children younger than 5 years old present to healthcare services with gastroenteritis each year.(3) ▾Racecadotril (Hidrasec) is the first in a new class of antidiarrhoeal drug ('enkephalinase inhibitor') that has an antisecretory mechanism and is licensed in adults, children and infants (over 3 months of age) for symptomatic treatment of acute diarrhoea or as complementary treatment when causal treatment is possible.(4-6) Here we review the evidence for racecadotril and its place in the management of acute diarrhoea.
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