Iatrogenic diarrhea caused by sorbitol

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Case Reports
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Severe diarrhea can have devastating effects, particularly in patients with pre-existing conditions like head injuries.
• Inactive ingredients in medications are often overlooked as potential causes of adverse effects.
• Sorbitol is a common excipient found in numerous pharmaceutical formulations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of severe diarrhea attributed to sorbitol in a young patient with a head injury.
• To highlight the importance of considering sorbitol in the differential diagnosis of unexplained diarrhea.
• To raise awareness among healthcare professionals about potential adverse reactions from medication excipients.

Main Methods:

• Case report detailing a young patient with a head injury who developed severe diarrhea.
• Identification of sorbitol as the causative agent through medication review.
• Clinical observation and patient history analysis.

Main Results:

• The patient experienced severe diarrhea, significantly impacting their recovery from a head injury.
• Sorbitol, an inactive ingredient in a prescribed medication, was identified as the cause of the diarrhea.
• The adverse effect resolved upon discontinuation of the sorbitol-containing medication.

Conclusions:

• Sorbitol is a potential cause of severe diarrhea and should be considered in patients presenting with abdominal complaints.
• Healthcare providers should be vigilant about inactive ingredients in both prescription and over-the-counter medications.
• Further investigation into the prevalence and impact of sorbitol-induced diarrhea is warranted.