Use of sulfonylureas and other potassium channel regulators to treat secretory diarrhea

Methods for the treatment of secretory diarrhea comprised of administering to a patient in need thereof, an effective amount of a CFTR chloride channel blocker or a potassium channel opener are disclosed. The CFTR chloride channel blocker is a sulfonylurea of the group consisting of tolbutamide, glibenclamide, and related analogs. The potassium channel opener is selected from the group consisting of diazoxide, lemakalim, and minoxidil sulfate.