Functional diarrhea (ICD-11 DD91.2 / ICD-10 K59.1) presents with recurrent loose or watery stools without an identified structural cause. Selecting an effective, evidence-backed treatment approach requires following a structured protocol built on current guideline recommendations.
The primary targets are meaningful improvement in stool frequency and improvement in stool consistency. Randomized controlled evidence demonstrates these outcomes are achievable and serve as the benchmark for evaluating treatment response.
The first-line protocol for functional diarrhea centres on loperamide, an antidiarrheal agent with a positive guideline recommendation and controlled-trial evidence in functional bowel disorders.
The complete regimen — including patient selection criteria, dosing guidance, and response monitoring — is available in the full structured protocol below.
DOI: 10.1002/ueg2.12259