What therapeutic intervention is advised for early onset diarrhea caused by Irinotecan?

Irinotecan, a chemotherapy drug, can cause early onset diarrhea as a side effect, typically occurring within 24 hours after administration. The most effective therapeutic intervention for managing this specific type of diarrhea is atropine.

Atropine functions as an anticholinergic agent, which helps reduce gastrointestinal motility, thereby addressing the rapid onset of diarrhea associated with irinotecan. It works specifically on the visceral periphery, and its use can effectively alleviate the gastrointestinal distress prompted by this medication, preventing the diarrhea from becoming more severe.

While fluids are critical for any type of diarrhea to prevent dehydration and imodium may be used for other types of diarrhea, they are not the targeted interventions for the specific early onset diarrhea caused by irinotecan. Probiotics can support gut health but have not shown sufficient efficacy in managing acute diarrhea from chemotherapy side effects. Therefore, atropine is the most appropriate first-line therapeutic option for this situation.