PRACTICUM 6: SELF-MEDICATION OF DIARRHEA AND CONSTIPATION Description of Theory Self-medication is an effort by people to treat themselves to overcome complaints and minor illnesses, such as fever, pain, dizziness, cough, influenza, stomach ulcers, worms, diarrhea, skin diseases and others. Self-medication is an alternative that people takeincreasing the affordability of treatment (MOH RI 2007). The methods commonly used for self-medication are WWHAM (Who, What, How, Action, Medication) or ASMETHOD (Age, Self/Someone Else, Medication, Extra Medication, Time Symptoms, History, Other Symptoms, Danger Symptoms). 1. Diarrhea is defecation in liquid form more than three times a day, usually accompanied by pain and stomach cramps. Selection of drugs for diarrhea: a. ORS is given to replace fluids and electrolytes in the body that are wasted during diarrhea. ORS Composition (WHO/UNICEF 2004): NaCl 2.6 g, Na Citrate 2.9 g, KCl 1.5 g, Glucose 13.5 g, Na+ 75 mEq/l, K+ 20 mEq/l, Citrate 10 mmol/l, Cl- 65 mEq/l , Glucose 75 mmol/l. b. Zinc is given to speed up healing, reduce the severity of diarrhea, and prevent recurrence of diarrhea in the next 2-3 months. c. Absorbents and mass formers, namely norit (carbo adsorbent), a combination of KaolinPectin and attapulgite. 2. Constipation is defecating less than 3 times per week for women and less than 5 times per week for men. Selection of drugs for constipation: a. Bulk forming agents bind water and ions in the colon lumen so that the stool volume increases and the consistency is soft. Examples of preparations: psyllium, methyl cellulose b. Osmotic laxatives draw water into the intestinal lumen and the stool becomes soft after 3-5 hours. Examples of preparations: magnesium sulfate, lactulose c. Emollient laxatives soften stools without stimulating intestinal peristalsis. Example of preparation: liquid paraffin Stimulants (laxative stimulants) stimulate the intestinal mucosa or smooth muscle thereby increasing peristalsis and mucus secretion in the intestine. Examples of preparations: bisocodyl (bicolax, dulcolax), phenolphthalein. Implementation of Practicum CASE Mrs. B, 28 years old, came to the pharmacy complaining about having difficulty defecating for 2 days, because she doesn't like eating vegetables, she is 7 months pregnant. Medical history: none Drug history: haven't taken any medication, only drink lots of water but still have difficulty defecating. Apart from that, Mrs. B also asked for diarrhea medicine for her 3 year old child, complaining of diarrhea since yesterday due to eating spicy food, her stools became runny with her stool frequency being 4 times a day, no fever and no blood. Treatment history: none. Disease history= none