Loperamide
About Loperamide
Loperamide is primarily used for the treatment of acute diarrhea and chronic diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease; chronic functional diarrhea (idiopathic), chronic diarrhea caused by bowel resection or organic lesions; to decrease the volume of ileostomy discharge.
It is a medicine that treats sudden diarrhoea by slowing down the movement of the gut. This reduces bowel movements and makes the stool less watery. It is used to treat gastroenteritis, short bowel disease and inflammatory bowel disease. This medicine also helps those with blood in the stool. This medication is administered orally.
If you have any of the following conditions, inform your doctor before taking the medicine-
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
- If you have mucus in your stool, bloody diarrhoea, fever, diarrhoea caused by food poisoning or bowel problems.
- If you are using antibiotics for a bacterial infection.
- If you have aids or liver problems.
Medicines like quinidine, ritonavir and saquinavir may interact with it. Check with your doctor about the safety of using this medication along with your other medications. Dosage is as per doctor’s prescription and it varies according to age, weight and how severe the condition is. It is advised to intake an adequate amount of water and other fluids along with this medicine.
Symptoms of overdose include CNS and respiratory depression, gastrointestinal cramping, constipation, GI irritation, nausea, vomiting; overdosage is noted when daily doses approximate 60 mg of Loperamide (active constituent).
Treatment of overdose: Gastric lavage followed by 100 g activated charcoal through a nasogastric tube. Monitor for signs of CNS depression; if they occur, administer naloxone 2 mg I.V. (0.01 mg/kg for children) with repeat administration as necessary up to a total of 10 mg.
Do not take more than 8 capsules or 80 mL in 24 hours. May cause drowsiness. If acute diarrhea lasts longer than 48 hours, consult prescriber. Do not take if diarrhea is bloody.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Gastroenterologist before using this medicine.
What are the uses of Loperamide
Chronic Diarrhea
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Gastroenterologist before using this medicine.
What are the contraindications of Loperamide ?
Acute Colitis
Antibiotic Induced Diarrhea
Colitis
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Gastroenterologist before using this medicine.
What are the side effects of Loperamide ?
Sedation
Rash
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Gastroenterologist before using this medicine.
Key highlights of Loperamide
How long is the duration of effect?
The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 40 hours.
What is the onset of action?
The effect of this medicine can be observed within 1-3 hours of administration.
Are there any pregnancy warnings?
Use of this medicine is not recommended for pregnant women unless the potential benefits outweigh the risk associated with use.
Is it habit forming?
Some habit forming tendencies were reported when large doses of this medicine were consumed without prescription.
Are there any breast-feeding warnings?
Use of this medicine is not recommended while breastfeeding an infant.
Is It safe with alcohol?
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with this medicine.
Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?
This medicine affects the alertness of the patient. Thus driving must be avoided.
Does this affect kidney function?
It is found to be safe to be used in patient with kidney disease. Adjustment of dose is not needed. Consult your doctor for further details.
Does this affect liver function?
Caution must be taken in patients with liver disease. Adjustment of dose might be needed. Kindly consult your doctor before taking it.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Gastroenterologist before using this medicine.
What are the dosage instructions?
Missed Dose instructions
This medicine is not taken in a scheduled way and hence missing a dose is not possible. However, care should be taken to not exceed the daily recommended limit.
Are there any overdose instructions?
Contact a doctor immediately if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of overdose may include dizziness, confusion, severe stomach cramps and pain, constipation etc.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Gastroenterologist before using this medicine.
Where is the Loperamide approved?
India
United States
Japan
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Gastroenterologist before using this medicine.
Medicines containing Loperamide
Below is the list of medicines, which contains Loperamide as ingredient
- Lopide 2 MG Capsule
Makers Labs
- Loopra 2 MG Capsule
Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Lopamax 2 MG Tablet
Wockhardt Ltd
- Lopipen 2 MG Tablet
Morepen Laboratories Limited
- Eldoper 2 MG Capsule
Micro Labs Ltd
- Loperamide 2 MG Capsule
Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Lopagut 2Mg Tablet
Shreya Life Sciences Pvt Ltd
- Ridol 2 MG Tablet
Gufic Bioscience Ltd
- Roko 2 MG Capsule
Cipla Ltd
- Loparet 2 MG Tablet
Retort Pharmaceuticals Pv
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Gastroenterologist before using this medicine.
How does this medication work?
This medicine acts directly on intestinal muscles to inhibit peristalsis and prolongs transit time enhancing fluid and electrolyte movement through intestinal mucosa; reduces fecal volume, increases viscosity, and diminishes fluid and electrolyte loss; demonstrates antisecretory activity; exhibits peripheral action.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Gastroenterologist before using this medicine.
What are the interactions of Loperamide ?
Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.
- test
Interaction with Alcohol
Interaction with Medicine
Clarithromycin
Report the use of either of the medicine to the doctor. You may require a dose adjustment and more frequent monitoring to safely use these medicines together. Use of these medicines should be reconsidered if you have a heart condition as the risk of adverse effects increases significantly.Ketoconazole
Report the use of either of the medicine to the doctor. You may require a dose adjustment and more frequent monitoring to safely use these medicines together. Use of these medicines should be reconsidered if you have a heart condition as the risk of adverse effects increases significantly.Ranitidine
Report the use of either of the medicine to the doctor. You may require a dose adjustment and more frequent monitoring to safely use these medicines together. Use of these medicines should be reconsidered if you have a heart condition as the risk of adverse effects increases significantly.Quinidine
Report the use of either of the medicine to the doctor. You may require a dose adjustment and more frequent monitoring to safely use these medicines together. Use of these medicines should be reconsidered if you have a heart condition as the risk of adverse effects increases significantly.Ritonavir
Report the use of either of the medicine to the doctor. You may require a dose adjustment and more frequent monitoring to safely use these medicines together. Use of these medicines should be reconsidered if you have a heart condition as the risk of adverse effects increases significantly.Increased toxicity:
CNS depressants, phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants may potentiate the adverse effectsInteraction with Disease
Infectious Diarrhea
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients having infectious diarrhea. The symptoms may worsen and get prolonged if this medicine is used in such cases. Any incidence of diarrhea accompanied by the presence of blood or pus in stools and high fever should be promptly reported to the doctor.
FAQs about Loperamide
Ques : What is Loperamide?
Ans : This medication is a medicine that treats sudden diarrhea by slowing down the movement of the gut.
Ques : How long do I need to use Loperamide before I see improvement in my condition?
Ans : This medication is to be taken till the time you see an improvement in your health.
Ques : At what frequency do I need to use Loperamide?
Ans : This medication should be taken in the dosage as prescribed by the doctor.
Ques : Should I use Loperamide empty stomach, before food or after food?
Ans : This medication should be taken after food in a prescribed dosage.
Ques : What are the instructions for the storage and disposal of Loperamide?
Ans : This medication should be kept in a cool dry place and in its original packaging. Make sure this medication remains unreachable to children and pets.
Ques : What are the instructions for the storage and disposal of this medication?
Ans : This medication should be kept in a cool dry place and in its original packaging. Make sure this medication remains unreachable to children and pets.
Ques : Is Loperamide safe?
Ans : Yes, this drug is safe if used as recommended. In case of any side effects, consult your doctor.
Ques : What is Loperamide used for?
Ans : This medication is used for treating short-term or long-term diarrhea, with or without any associated disease.
Ques : Is Loperamide addictive?
Ans : No, this medication is not addictive and is safe to consume.
Ques : Can Loperamide be used for stomach cramps, nausea, stomach flu, rotavirus diarrhea, and gas?
Ans : This drug may treat stomach cramps or nausea associated with diarrhea. Please consult your doctor before taking the drug.
Ques : Can I take Loperamide with Cimetidine?
Ans : Cimetidine can decrease the metabolism of this medication and increase its blood levels. Therefore, Your dose of this drug may need to be decreased. Consult your health practitioner before consuming these drugs together.
References
Loperamide- Drug Information Portal [Internet]. druginfo.nlm.nih.gov. 2021 [Cited 3 December 2021]. Available from:
https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/loperamide
BASIC CARE LOPERAMIDE HYDROCHLORIDE- loperamide hcl tablet, film coated- Daily Med [Internet]. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021 [Cited 24 Nov 2021]. Available from:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=732edad8-9a3f-4ce0-a323-c8bffa4acb5f
Diarrhoea Relief Instant-melts 2mg Orodispersible Tablets- EMC [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk. 2017 [Cited 24 Nov 2021]. Available from:
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8552/pil
Loperamide- Drug Information Portal [Internet]. druginfo.nlm.nih.gov. 2021 [Cited 23 Nov 2021]. Available from:
https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/loperamide
ANTI-DIARRHEAL LOPERAMIDE HCL, 2 MG CAPLETS- loperamide hcl tablet- Daily Med [Internet]. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [Cited 23 Nov 2021]. Available from:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e3d4f789-d41c-4965-975b-5af743d7b8e3
Boots Diarrhoea Relief 2 mg Capsules (GSL) (6 Capsules)- EMC [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk. 2019 [Cited 23 Nov 2021]. Available from:
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8297/pil
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Lybrate does not take responsibility for any aspect of medicines or treatments. If you have any doubts about your medication, we strongly recommend you to see a doctor immediately.
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