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Going Through Irinotecan. Side Effects Are Severe Diarrhea. Controlled With Lomotil And Imodium. Suggestions?

Posted on Mon, 21 Oct 2013

Question: My father is going through Irinotecan, a type of chemotherapy. One of the side effects is severe diarrhea. He's been hospitalized for dehydration a couple of times. We have the diarrhea under control with lomotil and prescription strength Imodium. We were advised for him to drink pedialyte and lots of it. He drinks about 1 to 1 1/2 liters of pedialyte a day along with plain water as well. He has severe gas pretty frequently, about once a minute. He is in a lot of pain due to the gas pressure. He is taking gas-x, but you can't exceed 4 a day. The gas pain is really bothering him. Is it a possibility that he is drinking too much pedialyte causing all of this gas? What are your suggestions?

Answered by Dr. Kulsoom Qureshi (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Pedialyte does not increase gas production.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for discussing your problem with us.
This is really good to know that you have controlled diarrhea with Imodium & Lomotil. I hope he is not taking it without consulting the treating Oncologist.
Pedialyte intake is necessary for him for hydration & electrolyte replacement & it is not likely to cause that excess gas production.
This excessive gas production is also a side effect of his chemotherapy drug Irinotecan & he has to face it along with the diarrhea.
Hope he gets well soon.
Take care.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar