piperidines and Abdominal-Neoplasms

63 patients (23--78 years) with irradiation-induced diarrhoea, the majority of them resistant to treatment with diphenoxylate, were started on 4-(p-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-N,N'-dimethyl-alpha,alpha-diphenyl-1-piperidine butyramide (loperidine, Imodium) 4 mg daily. Doses were further adapted individually and the trial lasted for 3--72 days. Daily frequency and consistency of stools improved significantly, and abdominal cramps were clearly reduced. Stools became normal in 41 patients after a median time of 16.5 days (median daily dose: 4 mg), they improved in six other patients, but remained unchanged in eight and deteriorated in one patient. The remaining seven cases were not evaluated. No side-effects could be attributed to the drug.

Topics: Abdominal Neoplasms; Adult; Aged; Diarrhea; Female; Humans; Loperamide; Male; Middle Aged; Piperidines; Radiotherapy

45 patients with diarrheas appearing after exposure of the gastro-intestinal region to ionizing radiation were given loperamide in the course of a study. A few days after administration of the loperamide, normalization of the stools took place, except in three cases. Simultaneous tenesmic gripes, some of the patients had also suffered from, disappeared completely, with the exception of two cases where, however, normalization of the stools was obtained by means of the loperamide therapy. Subjective side-effects did not occur. Also no alterations of the blood count, hematological features, liver function tests or urine have been observed.

Topics: Abdominal Neoplasms; Adult; Aged; Diarrhea; Female; Humans; Loperamide; Middle Aged; Piperidines; Radiation Injuries; Radioisotope Teletherapy

Topics: Abdomen; Abdominal Neoplasms; Diarrhea; Humans; Neoplasms; Pelvic Neoplasms; Piperidines; Radiation Injuries