Anti-diarrhea medication with flu?

BigIsland07

For me, not baby or kid. Can I take anti-diarrhea medication (Imodium or Pepto) when I have the flu? Was reading a few websites and some say I should not...others say it can help relieve stomach cramping and, well, diarrhea. It's pretty bad.

 My doctor doesn't open for another three hours on Saturdays, or I'd call them.

TIA.

ss+el

I've heard of them not being effective for the flu, but never not to take them at all. Are you on anything for the flu? I would call a 24hr pharmacy and make sure the ingredients won't interact. Some stomach medicines (though typically antacids) will cause some antibiotics to be ineffective.

katieh1017

I am still getting over a stomach flu from Monday night! Puking and diarrhea. Puking ended after 10 hours, still have the runs and nausea. I went to the doc on Thursday and she said not to take anything to stop the diarrhea, let everything come out. She gave me something for the nausea. Hope you feel better! 

gimmietimmies

I'm confused, do you have a GI bug, and the flu? If you have a GI bug, and no respiratory symptoms, it's not the flu. You can take something to slow it down, but my doctor said the same thing yours did, it's working it's way out for a reason. Stay hydrated. 

If you have the flu and a GI bug, are you taking flu/cold/sinus mess, call to see if it interacts with Imodium. And if you do have both, that really sucks. 

KathrynMD

Don't take AD meds - let your system flush out whatever it needs to.