Clonidine and lidamidine to inhibit watery diarrhea in a patient with lung cancer.

A patient with watery diarrhea syndrome secondary to bronchogenic carcinoma responded to treatment with clonidine and lidamidine. Stool weight decreased to 43% and 53% of control on two separate trials of clonidine. Stool weight decreased to 35% of control during a trial of lidamidine. Both clonidine and lidamidine increased sodium and chloride absorption in vitro in human intestine. Clonidine, lidamidine, or drugs that are structurally similar may become therapeutic choices for secretory diarrhea.