Article written by Pharmacist Quang Ánh Nguyệt – Pharmacy Department – Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital
Using Hidrasec does not replace the need for the child to drink fluids. Rehydration is very important in managing acute diarrhea in infants and young children.
1. Ingredients, Uses, and Indications of Hidrasec
1.1 Ingredients
- Active ingredient: Racecadotril
- Excipients: Sucrose, colloidal anhydrous silica, 30% polyacrylate dispersion
1.2 Pharmaceutical Forms
- Powder sachets for oral administration: 10mg (Hidrasec Infant) or 30mg (Hidrasec Children)
- Capsules for oral administration: 100mg
1.3 Uses
Racecadotril is an intestinal antisecretory agent that works locally in the small intestine. It reduces the secretion of water and electrolytes in the small intestine caused by cholera toxins or inflammation without affecting normal secretory function. Racecadotril quickly provides antidiarrheal effects without changing the transit time in the small intestine.
1.4 Indications
- Powder sachets: Additional symptomatic treatment of acute diarrhea in young children (over 3 months old) and older children.
- Capsules: Treatment of acute diarrhea in adults.
2. Dosage and Administration
Hidrasec Infants, Hidrasec Children:
Use Hidrasec together with appropriate fluid and electrolyte replacement.
The dose is determined by the child’s body weight: 1.5 mg/kg per dose (equivalent to 1 to 2 sachets), taken 3 times daily at regular intervals.
- Children under 9 kg: 1 sachet of 10 mg x 3 times/day
- Children from 9 kg - 13 kg: 2 sachets of 10 mg x 3 times/day
- Children from 13 kg - 27 kg: 1 sachet of 30 mg x 3 times/day
- Children over 27 kg: 2 sachets of 30 mg x 3 times/day
The sachet contents can be mixed into food or a small amount of water (about 1 teaspoon), stirred well, and given to the child immediately.
Hidrasec 100mg (capsules):
Start with one capsule, regardless of the time of intake. Then take 1 capsule 3 times/day before each main meal.
3. Possible Side Effects of Hidrasec
Infrequent side effects (≥1/1000 to <1/100) include: Tonsillitis, rash, erythema.
Some side effects have been reported but the exact frequency cannot be estimated based on available data. These include: Erythema multiforme, urticaria (hives), nodular erythema, papular rash, itchy lumps, and itching.
There have been reports of serious skin reactions (including angioedema) in patients treated with Racecadotril.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you experience any harmful reactions while taking this medication.
4. Other Precautions
4.1 Contraindications
- Allergy to the active ingredient or any excipients.
- Angioedema.
- Patients with fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome, or sucrase-isomaltase deficiency.
4.2 Warnings and Precautions
- Rehydration therapy should be appropriate for the child’s age, weight, and the severity of the diarrhea.
- The presence of blood or pus in the stool and fever may indicate bacterial infection or another serious condition requiring specific treatment (e.g., antibiotics) or further investigation. In these cases, do not use racecadotril alone. Racecadotril can be used alongside antibiotics in acute bacterial diarrhea as supportive therapy.
- Consider the daily sugar intake in patients with diabetes, as the excipients contain sucrose.
- Do not use Hidrasec in antibiotic-associated diarrhea or chronic diarrhea due to insufficient data.
- Not recommended for infants under 3 months old due to lack of clinical studies.
- Not recommended in patients with liver or kidney disease as there is not enough information for these groups.
4.3 Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- There is not enough data on the use of racecadotril in pregnant women. Animal studies have not shown direct or indirect harmful effects on pregnancy or fetal development. However, because there are no specific clinical studies, do not use Hidrasec if you are pregnant.
- Due to lack of information about racecadotril’s excretion into breast milk, do not use Hidrasec while breastfeeding.
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