Diarrhea is one of the most common side effects of stem cell transplantation (SCT) and is caused by the high-dose melphalan conditioning. Loperamide is used to manage diarrhea to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which prolong the duration of hospital stays. However, samples of patients with diarrhea must first be tested for Clostridium difficile (C. diff), which can trigger the development of toxic megacolon and bowel perforation when patients are immunocompromised. Mohammad Sohomow, University College London Hospital, London, UK, discusses a study that investigated the safety and efficacy of loperamide administration prior to receiving a negative stool sample result. This approach significantly reduced the time patients had diarrhea and the length of hospital stays. This interview took place at the 64th Annual Scientific Meeting of the British Society for Haematology (BSH) Congress in Liverpool, UK.
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