Loperamide versus diphenoxylate in diarrhea of infants and children

The antidiarrheal activity of loperamide and diphenoxylate was studied in infants and children. Of 714 age and sex matched cases, 214 were treated conventionally (C group), 260 received loperamide (L group) and 240 diphenoxylate (D group) in addition to supportive antidiarrheal therapy. In C group 50 per cent, in L group 93.1 per cent and in D group 77.1 per cent of patients improved within 36 hours. Then active cases of diarrhea of L & D groups were crossed-over. In L group 61.2 per cent and in D group 22.2 per cent improved. With diphenoxylate side effects observed were vomiting, sedation, intoxication, and paralytic ileus and with loperamide vomiting and constipation. Loperamide was found to be more effective and safer than diphenoxylate.