Chemotherapy Education

Diarrhea Control Plan

Begin these recommendations at the first sign of diarrhea (loose or frequent stools, cramping)

1. Loperamide (also known as Immodium A-D) treatment plan:
   • Take an initial dose of 4mg. During the daytime, take
   • 2mg every 2 hours.
   • During the night, take 4mg every 4 hours. Note: The loperamide package will warn you against taking this much loperamide. However, intensive loperamide therapy is recommended for people with diarrhea caused by Camptosar therapy.
     
2. Replenish your body fluids. Drink 6-8 glasses of clear, mild fluids every day. These may include water, broth, sodas such as ginger ale and seltzer, apple juice, herbal tea, and Gatorade.
   
3. Do not drink milk or beverages that contain alcohol or caffeine (coffee, tea, colas). Do not drink prune juice. These liquids can make your diarrhea worse.
   
4. Eat bland foods such as plain rice, noodles, white bread, cereals, chicken, turkey, beef, fish, cottage cheese, yogurt, smooth peanut butter, bananas, pureed vegetables, and canned or cooked fruits such as applesauce.
   
5. Avoid foods such as high-fiber cereals, beans, nuts, raw fruits, raw vegetables, greasy foods, spicy foods, and chocolate.
   
6. Stay away from medicines that can make your diarrhea worse. These may include Milk of Magnesia, Dulcolax, Metamucil, Peri-Colace, Maalox, etc.
   
7. If diarrhea stops for at least 12 hours, stop taking the loperamide.
   
8. If diarrhea persists for 3 days even with the use of anti-diarrheals, call your nurse.

Front Range Cancer Specialists
"Fighting Cancer with Knowledge and Compassion"

Our Chemotherapy Clinic is located:
2315 East Harmony Road
Suite 110
Fort Collins, CO 80528

Phone 970 212 7600