Racetril 100

Indications

Racetril is recommended for the symptomatic relief of acute diarrhea.

Description

Racetril is a specialized intestinal antisecretory agent that effectively reduces excessive secretion of water and electrolytes in the intestines caused by cholera toxin or inflammatory processes, without affecting baseline secretory activity.

Upon oral administration, Racetril is quickly absorbed and metabolized into thiorphan, which acts as an enkephalinase inhibitor. This enzyme, found in various tissues including the small intestine epithelium, is responsible for breaking down both external and internal peptides, such as enkephalins. By protecting enkephalins from enzymatic degradation, Racetril enhances their effects at enkephalinergic synapses in the small intestine, thereby alleviating hypersecretion. It provides rapid relief from diarrhea without altering the speed of intestinal transit.

Pharmacology

Racetril boosts the availability of endogenous opioids (enkephalins) by inhibiting the membrane-bound enzyme enkephalinase. This action activates delta opioid receptors (δ receptors), leading to a selective increase in chloride absorption by inhibiting adenylate cyclase.

Onset of Action: 30 minutes (inhibition of plasma enkephalinase).

Dosage & Administration

• Adults: Take one capsule initially, at any time of day, followed by one capsule three times daily, preferably before main meals.
• Children (3 months and older): Racetril granules should be taken with oral rehydration solutions. The dosage is based on body weight: 1.5 mg/kg per dose, three times daily.
  • Infants under 9 kg: One 10 mg sachet three times daily.
  • Infants 9 kg to 13 kg: Two 10 mg sachets three times daily.
  • Children 13 kg to 27 kg: One 30 mg sachet three times daily.
  • Children over 27 kg: Two 30 mg sachets three times daily.

Consult a registered healthcare professional before using this medication.

Interactions

No significant drug interactions have been reported. Concurrent use of Racetril with Loperamide or Nifuroxazide does not affect the pharmacokinetics of Racetril.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to Racecadotril or any of its components.

Side Effects

Possible side effects include headache, erythema multiforme, urticaria, and angioedema.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Due to insufficient clinical data, Racetril should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Precautions & Warnings

Racetril does not alter standard rehydration practices. The presence of bloody stools or fever may suggest an invasive bacterial infection or other serious conditions. Racetril has not been evaluated for antibiotic-associated diarrhea and should not be used in such cases. Caution is advised for patients with renal or liver impairment.

Overdose Effects

No overdose cases have been reported. In adults, single doses exceeding 2 g (20 times the therapeutic dose) have been administered without harmful effects.

Therapeutic Class

Anti-Diarrheal