We know that taking HIV treatment (ART) is not easy. In addition to the treatments, you also have to live with the side effects that come with them. The biggest problem for many of them is persistent diarrhea. This causes water retention in the body and makes it a big obstacle to doing daily activities. So today we are talking about a special medicine that can help with this annoying condition. That is Crofelemer.
What is this Crofelemer?
Simply put, Crofelemer is a medicine used to treat non-infectious diarrhea caused by antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV. Sometimes, ART can change the way our intestines work, causing diarrhea.
This medicine works by controlling the amount of water in your intestines. That is, it balances the amount of water absorbed by the body from the intestines and the amount of water secreted into the intestines. This reduces the need to go to the bathroom frequently and controls the amount of liquid stool. This is not like a regular medicine that stops diarrhea, it works in a different way.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting this medication, it is very important to talk openly with your doctor. He or she needs to have a complete picture of your health. Be sure to tell them about the following in particular:
- If you have or have had pancreatitis .
- If you have recently traveled abroad, or if you suspect food poisoning (this is important to determine if the cause of the diarrhea is an infection).
- If you have other stomach or intestinal problems.
- If you have an allergy to this Crofelemer medication, or to any other medication, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant , or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
The correct way to use the medicine
To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it correctly.
- Always take this medicine with a glass of water .
- Try to take it at the same time every day, exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
- Most importantly: Do not break, crush, or chew the pill. Swallow it whole. Failure to do so may change the way the medicine works.
- You can take it before or after meals, but if you have an upset stomach, it's best to take it with food.
- Continue using it until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop just because your symptoms have subsided.
What if I overdose?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give it to anyone else who may have the same symptoms as you.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
While using this medicine, it is important to pay attention to changes in your body.
- If your symptoms do not improve, or if they worsen, be sure to tell your doctor.
- Most importantly, if you experience severe, unusual stomach pain, dark red blood, or black tarry stools, stop taking this medicine immediately and go to the nearest hospital emergency department (ETU). These could be signs of a serious condition.
Does it interact with other medications?
This medicine has not been extensively studied to see how it interacts with other medicines. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements). Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, Crofelemer can cause some side effects. Some of these can be serious, while others are common. It is important to be aware of these.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor or ETU immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat. |
| Bloody diarrhea | Red blood in the stool. |
| Severe diarrhea and fever | Fever with worsening diarrhea. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Flatulence/flatulence | Stomach discomfort, bloating, and frequent gas. |
| Nausea | Feeling like vomiting. |
| Cough, runny nose | Symptoms similar to a common cold. |
| Backache/Muscle pain | Back or muscle pain that occurs without a cause. |
How should I store the medicine? How should I dispose of it?
- Always keep medication out of the reach of children and pets .
- Store the bottle tightly closed in a dry place, away from light, at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius).
- It is also important to be careful when disposing of expired or no longer needed medications. It is best to ask your doctor for advice on this.
- Some medications should not be flushed down the toilet. If you can throw them in the trash, take the pills out of the bottle, mix them with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, put them in a sealed bag, and throw them in the trash.
Take-Home Message
- Crofelemer is a special medicine for non-infectious diarrhea caused by ART treatment for HIV.
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about all medications you are taking and all of your medical conditions.
- Never break, crush, or chew the tablet. Swallow it whole.
- If you experience severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, or black, tarry stools, stop taking the medicine immediately and go to the ETU.
- If your symptoms do not improve or you have any concerns, always talk to your doctor.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න