Antidiarrheals are medications or compounds that are used to relieve diarrhea. Due to their nature, antidiarrheals are commonly referred to as anti-diarrhetic agents, which are substances that reduce the frequency and severity of diarrhea. In addition, other words for antidiarrheals include gastrointestinal agents, antispasmodics, and bowel regulators. Antimotility agents are also often used to describe antidiarrheals, as they work by slowing down the movement of food and waste through the digestive system. Lastly, adsorbents are substances that bind to bacteria and toxins in the intestines and are used to treat diarrhea caused by bacterial infections.