Suggested management of COVID-19–related gastrointestinal symptoms in adults
| Supportive care37,38 |
| Fluid and salt intake (eg, soup, broth, juice, saltine crackers, low carbohydrate sports drinks) to maintain hydration status |
| Oral rehydration therapy for mild dehydration |
| Intravenous rehydration for severe dehydration |
| Pharmacotherapy37,38 |
| Nausea and vomiting: |
| • Prochlorperazine 5 to 10 mg orally 3 to 4 times daily as needed (maximum of 40 mg/day) |
| • Ondansetron 4 to 8 mg orally 3 times daily as needed (off-label use) |
| Diarrhea: |
| • Loperamide 4 mg orally initially, followed by 2 mg after each watery stool (maximum of 8 mg/day) |
| Monitoring for worsening disease course39 |
| Hospitalization if alarm symptoms: |
| • Severe or persistent symptoms |
| • Gastrointestinal bleeding |
| • Intractable vomiting |
| • Dehydration |
| • Change in mental status |
| Consider consultation with a gastroenterologist for further work-up and management if worsening disease course. |