Loperamide: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What drug Loperamide?

What is loperamide for?

Loperamide is a medicine to treat sudden diarrhea. This drug works by slowing down the movement of the intestines and making the stool more solid.

One of the best known brand name drugs for loperamide is Imodium. This drug has the same content.

Loperamide is also used to treat diarrhea in people with inflammatory bowel disease and to reduce the amount of discharge in patients undergoing an ileostomy.

This medicine is only used to reduce the symptoms of diarrhea that appear. Meanwhile, causes of diarrhea (such as bacterial infections) cannot be cured with this drug.

Make sure you take this drug after your doctor recommends it. Treatment of the symptoms and causes of diarrhea must be determined by a doctor.

Loperamide should not be taken by mouth for children under 6 years of age, unless on the advice of a doctor. This medicine also shouldn't be given to babies younger than 24 months.

What are the rules for using loperamide?

Take loperamide after each bowel movement, or as directed by your doctor. The dose given will adjust to your condition and how your body responds to the treatment given.

For children, the dosage will also be based on age and body weight. Adults should not use more than 8 mg in 24 hours if they are self-medicating, or 16 mg if under doctor's orders.

If you are using chewable tablets, take this medication on an empty stomach. The chewable tablet must be completely chewed before swallowing.

If you are using a quick-dissolving tablet, dry your hands before opening the package to remove the tablet. Do not push the tablet from the package. place the tablet on the tongue, let it dissolve completely, then swallow it with saliva.

Do not crush, split, or crush loperamide tablets before taking them. Generally, taking this medicine does not need to use the help of water.

Diarrhea can cause loss of body fluids (dehydration). Drink plenty of water and minerals (electrolytes) to replace those lost in addition to taking this medication.

Tell your doctor right away if you develop signs of dehydration (for example, excessive thirst, reduced urine output, stomach cramps, weakness, fainting).

You will also need to consume soft foods during treatment to reduce irritation of your stomach / intestines. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if your diarrhea doesn't get better after 2 days, your condition worsens, or if new symptoms develop.

If you have bloody stools, fever, or bloating / bloating, or if you think you have a serious health problem, seek medical help right away.

If you are taking the drug loperamide as directed by your doctor for diarrhea, go back to your doctor if you still have diarrhea after 10 days of taking the medicine.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How do I store loperamide?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Do not store this medication in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your medicine.

Loperamide dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of loperamide for adults?

Loperamide for acute diarrhea

• Loperamide tablets, capsules, and liquid: Initial dose 4 mg orally after the first bowel movement. Maintenance dose (continued): 2 mg after each bowel movement, not more than 16 mg in 24 hours. The condition usually improves within 48 hours.
• Loperamide chewable tablets: Initial dose 4 mg after the first CHAPTER, continued dose: 2 mg after each bowel movement, not more than 8 mg in 24 hours.

Loperamide dose for chronic diarrhea

Tablets, capsules, and liquids: Initial dose 4 mg orally once followed by 2 mg orally after each bowel movement, not more than 16 mg orally in 24 hours. The average maintenance dose is 4-8 mg.

Clinical improvement usually occurs within 10 days. If there is no improvement even after being given a maximum dose of 16 mg for 10 days, the symptoms tend not to be controlled by further administration.

What is the dose of loperamide for children?

Loperamide dose for acute diarrhea in children:

2-6 years (13-20 kg) - Liquid preparation (liquid), only given to this age group.

• Initial: 1 mg orally 3 times a day for the first day
• Maintenance: 0.1 mg / kg / dose after each bowel movement, but not more than the initial dose

6-8 years (20-30 kg) - Tablets, capsules, and liquid

• Initial: 2 mg orally 2 times a day for the first day
• Maintenance: 0.1 mg / kg / dose after each bowel movement, but not more than the initial dose.

6-8 years (20-30 kg) - Chewable tablets

• Initial: 2 mg orally after the first bowel movement
• Maintenance: 1 mg orally after each bowel movement, but not more than 4 mg in 24 hours.

8-12 years (more than 30 kg) - Tablets, capsules, and liquid:

• Initial: 2 mg orally 3 times a day for the first day
• Maintenance: 0.1 mg / kg / dose after each bowel movement, but not more than the initial dose.

8-12 years (more than 30 kg) - Chewable tablets:

• Initial: 2 mg orally after the first bowel movement
• Maintenance: 1 mg orally after each bowel movement, but not more than 6 mg in 24 hours.

12-18 years - Tablets, chewable tablets, capsules, and liquids

• Initial: 4 mg after first bowel movement
• Maintenance: 2 mg after each bowel movement, but not more than 8 mg in 24 hours.

In what dosage dosage is loperamide available?

Loperamide is available in the following dosages: 2 mg oral tablet.

Loperamide side effects

What side effects might loperamide have?

Common side effects of loperamide are:

• Dizzy
• Drowsiness, tiredness
• Constipation
• Mild stomach pain
• Skin rash or mild itching

Stop using this drug and contact your doctor immediately if you experience the following serious side effects:

• Abdominal pain or bloating
• The diarrhea is persistent or gets worse
• Watery or bloody diarrhea
• Severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling of the face or tongue, burning in the eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple rash that spreads (especially on the face or upper body) and causes blisters and peeling

Not everyone experiences the side effects mentioned above. There may be some side effects not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain side effects of loperamide, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Loperamide Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using loperamide?

Some things you need to pay attention to before taking this drug, include:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to loperamide or any other medications
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and non-prescription drugs you are taking
• Tell your doctor if you have a fever
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant and are taking loperamide, contact your doctor
• You should know that this drug can make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or run a motorized vehicle until the effects of the drug wear off
• Note that alcohol can increase the drowsiness caused by this drug

Is loperamide safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using loperamide in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This medicine falls into a category C (possibly risky) pregnancy risk according to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

There is insufficient information about the safety of using loperamide during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Loperamide can pass into breast milk and can harm a nursing baby. You are not advised to take this medicine if you are still breastfeeding.

Loperamide Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with loperamide?

Drug interactions can change the performance of the drug loperamide or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

• Eliglustat
• Lomitapide
• Nilotinib
• Saquinavir
• Simeprevir
• Tocophersolan
• Gemfibrozil
• Itraconazole

Can food or alcohol interact with this drug?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because loperamide drug interactions can occur.

Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur, including with loperamide. Discuss using the drug loperamide with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with this drug?

The existence of other health problems in your body can affect the use of the drug loperamide. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, in particular:

• Colitis (severe) —larger colon problems can occur if you take loperamide
• Dysentery — this condition can get worse; another type of therapy is needed
• Liver disease — greater risk of CNS side effects

Loperamide overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of the drug loperamide, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.