system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 19-year-old woman presents with abdominal pain and diarrhea for the last week. She has missed 3 days of school and is extremely stressed about the effect of this absence on her academic performance. She has had a couple of similar though less intense episodes in the past. She says that the diarrhea alternates with constipation and is associated with bloating and flatus. She describes the abdominal pain as spasmodic and episodic, sometimes radiating to the legs, with each episode lasting for 10–15 minutes and relieved by defecation. The patient denies any change in the color of her feces, increased frequency of urination or burning during micturition, loss of appetite or weight loss. No significant past medical history. No significant family history. Physical examination is unremarkable. Laboratory investigations are normal. Which of the following would the best choice to manage the diarrheal symptoms in this patient?
assistant
Loperamide