Loperamide
Molecule Description
Loperamide is used in the treatment of acute diarrhoea due to food poisoning or
viral infections. It reduces the frequency of stools. It is not suitable for all types of diarrhoea. It belongs to an anti-diarrhoeal group of medicines. Loperamide is available in the form of tablets, capsules, syrup, suspension. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding and about all the medicines and supplements you take and all the conditions or diseases you suffer from, before starting loperamide.
Uses of Loperamide
Loperamide is used for the treatment of acute diarrhoea due to viral infections or food poisoning.
Contraindications of Loperamide
When should one not use Loperamide
- If you are allergic to loperamide or similar medicines
- If there is unexplained swelling of the stomach during or before treatment which does not get relieved on its own
- If you already suffer from constipation or develop it during treatment
- If you have ulcerative colitis (symptoms like stomach pain or cramps, weight loss, fatigue) which is a chronic disease of the gut.
- If you have diarrhoea due to infection caused by bacterial or use of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as amoxicillin, ampicillin, cephalosporins
- If you have diarrhoea with blood in stools or have a high fever
- If the patient is less than 9 years old
Side effects of Loperamide
Common side effects of this drug are:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
Precautions and Warnings of Loperamide
Pregnancy
Q:
Can I take loperamide during pregnancy?
A:
Consult your doctor before taking loperamide during pregnancy as limited information is available about its safety in pregnant women.
Breast Feeding
Q:
Can I take loperamide while breastfeeding?
A:
Loperamide is not recommended while breastfeeding as it passes into breast milk.
Driving
Q:
Can I drive if I have consumed loperamide?
A:
Loperamide may make you feel dizzy, thus you need to be cautious while driving.
Alcohol
Q:
Can I consume alcohol with loperamide?
A:
Avoid consuming alcohol with loperamide, as it may worsen the side effects.
Other General Warnings
Talk to your doctor if
- You have problems with your liver
- You are suffering from acute diarrhoea or have diarrhoea from several days
- You are an AIDS patient suffering from diarrhoea
- Loperamide should be used cautiously in children and patients on a low sodium diet.
- Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment
- It should be discontinued promptly if signs of constipation, stomach distension or stomach pain develop.
Mode of Action of Loperamide
How Does It Work?
- Loperamide acts on the internal intestinal lining (layer) and reduces intestinal movement.
- Due to this, the movement of food along the intestine is slowed down.
- This makes way for more water and salts to be absorbed, preventing their loss in each episode of loose stools.
- It also relieves the feeling of the urgency of passing stools.
- It also increases control over defecation (excretion or bowel movement) by increasing the power of the natural control valve of the anus, which weakens during acute diarrhoea.
Interactions of Loperamide
Interactions with other medicines
- Some medicines can affect the way loperamide works, or this medicine itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time. Tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements, or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interaction. Especially if you are taking medicines to treat your heart problems, high blood cholesterol, asthma, HIV infection, malaria, fungal infections, constipation or are taking antibiotics, pain killers....
- You should avoid this medicine in combination with medicines known to cause ECG changes e.g. Quinidine (medicines given for malaria and for disorders affecting the heart rate), Procainamide, Amiodarone, Sotalol, (medicine given for disorders affecting the heart rate), Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol, Thioridazine, Ziprasidone, (medicines given for psychosis), Moxifloxacin (an antibiotic), Pentamidine (an antimicrobial) and Methadone (a pain killer)....
Dosage of Loperamide
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose may include palpitations, vomiting, sleepiness, constipation. Seek urgent medical help if you suspect an overdose.
Missed a Dose
If you have missed any dose of loperamide then take it as soon as you remember. If it is already time for the next dose then skip the missed dose and follow the regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to compensate for the missed one....
Content Details
WRITTEN BY
Dr. Mansi Savla
B. Pharm, PharmD
REVIEWED BY
Dr. Ritu Budania
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does loperamide cause dizziness?
A: Loperamide may cause dizziness as a side effects.
Q: In which all dosage forms is loperamide available?
A: Loperamide is available in the form of tablet, capsule, syrup, suspension.
References
View All
- CDSCO - Loperamide [Internet]. Cdscoonline.gov.in. 2021 [cited 5 October 2021]
- Loperamide 2 mg tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2021 [cited 5 October 2021]
- Loperamide 2 mg tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2021 [cited 5 October 2021]
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