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PHARMACIST-REVIEWED GUIDE · PAKISTAN
Why ORS matters more than any tablet, which medicines are safe for adults and children, and when to go to hospital.
✓ Reviewed by Arhum Nadeem, Pharm-D · ✓ WHO-based guidance · ✓ ORS delivered in 3–4 hrs, Lahore
Medically reviewed by Arhum Nadeem, Pharm-D (8 years’ experience as a pharmacist) · Last reviewed: 17 October 2026
The most important medicine for loose motion is ORS (oral rehydration salts), which replaces the water and salts lost in diarrhoea and prevents dangerous dehydration. Children also need zinc for 10 to 14 days. Most loose motion and food poisoning settles by itself within a few days. Anti-diarrhoeal tablets such as loperamide (Imodium) can help adults with mild watery diarrhoea, but they should not be used with fever, blood in the stool, or in young children. Antibiotics are needed only for specific infections diagnosed by a doctor.
Key points
| Medicine | Use | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Osmolar ORS, Rehydramin ORS | Replaces fluids and salts | Everyone, from babies to adults |
| Zincat-OD or Zincol zinc syrup | Shortens diarrhoea and reduces repeat episodes | Children: 10 to 14 days, dose by age |
| Imodium (loperamide) 2 mg | Slows the gut | Adults with watery diarrhoea and no fever or blood. Not for children under 12. |
| Hidrasec (racecadotril) | Reduces fluid loss into the gut | Children, on a doctor’s or pharmacist’s advice, alongside ORS |
| Enterogermina, Ecotec | Probiotics | May shorten diarrhoea slightly; optional |
| Smecta (diosmectite) | Binds the stool | Adults and children, as labelled |
Prices change; check the product pages. ORS costs about Rs 19 to Rs 31 per sachet at Divine Medicines (October 2026).
No sachet available? WHO’s emergency home recipe: 1 litre of clean water, 6 level teaspoons of sugar and half a level teaspoon of salt. Measure carefully, and switch to proper ORS as soon as you can. Fizzy drinks, packaged juices and sports drinks are not substitutes. Their sugar can make diarrhoea worse.
Most loose motion is caused by viruses or toxins and gets better without antibiotics. In Pakistan, metronidazole (Flagyl) and other antibiotics are often taken “just in case”, which causes side effects and drives resistance. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics for bloody diarrhoea with fever (dysentery), suspected cholera or typhoid, or confirmed amoebic or giardia infection.
Food poisoning usually starts within hours to a day or two of eating contaminated food, with nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea, sometimes with fever. Most people recover within a few days with fluids and rest. Prevent it with handwashing, clean water, well-cooked food, and by avoiding food left out in the heat. Summer and the monsoon season are peak times in Lahore.
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Dast (loose motion) ki sab se zaroori dawai ORS hai, jo jism mein pani aur namkiyat ki kami poori karti hai. Packet par likhi miqdar ke mutabiq saaf ubla hua thanda pani istemal karein. Bachon ko 10 se 14 din zinc syrup bhi dein. Khana jari rakhein: khichdi, kela, dahi. Imodium sirf baron ke liye hai, bukhar ya khoon wale dast mein nahi. Flagyl ya antibiotic har dast mein zaroori nahi. Aankhein andar dhansna, peshab bohat kam aana, ghanoodgi, pakhane mein khoon ya tez bukhar ho to foran doctor ke paas jayen.
ORS is the most important treatment for everyone. Children also need zinc. Adults with mild watery diarrhoea and no fever or blood can use loperamide (Imodium) for a short time.
No. Loperamide is not recommended for children under 12 because of the risk of serious side effects. Use ORS and zinc, and see a doctor if needed.
Not for most cases. Metronidazole (Flagyl) treats specific infections such as amoebiasis or giardia, diagnosed by a doctor. It doesn’t help viral diarrhoea or most food poisoning.
Usually 1 to 3 days, sometimes up to a week. See a doctor if it lasts longer, or if there’s blood, high fever or signs of dehydration.
No. Sugary drinks can make diarrhoea worse. Use ORS, water, soup and lassi instead.
Drink small amounts often, plus extra after each loose stool. Aim to keep urine pale; most adults need 2 to 3 litres of fluid a day while unwell.
This article is for general information and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the pack leaflet and follow the dose on the label or prescription.
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