Racecadotril + oral rehydration solution

Racecadotril + oral rehydration solution is a combination therapy used primarily for the treatment of acute diarrhea, especially in children. Racecadotril is an antisecretory agent and a prodrug that is rapidly converted to its active metabolite thiorphan after oral administration. Thiorphan acts as a specific inhibitor of enkephalinase (a cell membrane peptidase) in the small intestine mucosa. By inhibiting enkephalinase, it prolongs the action of endogenous enkephalins at δ opioid receptors on enterocytes, which reduces cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) synthesis and leads to decreased secretion of water and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen[1][3][4]. This mechanism addresses hypersecretion without affecting basal secretion or intestinal motility[1][2][5]. The addition of racecadotril to standard oral rehydration therapy has been shown to reduce stool output and duration of diarrhea episodes in children with acute watery diarrhea[1][2][5]. Oral rehydration solution remains essential for preventing dehydration by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes. Developers: Bioprojet

Other names

thiorphan (active metabolite)ORS (oral rehydration solution)