Loperamide

Please note: these are basic guidelines, refer to your doctor for a professional medical opinion.

Popular brand names:

Adco-Prodium, Betaperamide, Gastron, Imodium, Lopedium, Loperastat

Drug group:

Antidiarrhoeal drug

Prescription needed?

No

What does it do?

Loperamide is a fast-acting antidiarrhoeal drug used:

• In the treatment of sudden and recurrent bouts of diarrhoea
• To reduce fluid loss from the stoma in people who with a colostomy or an ileostomy

How does it work?

Loperamide slows bowel activity and reduces the loss of water and salts from the bowel, which results in the passage of firmer and less frequent stools.

How should it be used?

• Loperamide is NOT usually recommended for diarrhoea caused by infection because it may delay the expulsion of toxins from the bowel
• Acute diarrhoea - use for up to 5 days only (3 days only for children 4–8 years)
• Consult your doctor if symptoms persist or worsen during treatment
• In any diarrhoeal illness, ensure adequate fluid/sugar/salt intake

What is the typical dosage?

Follow instructions on the label. Call your doctor if symptoms worsen.

• Acute diarrhoea: initially 4mg, then 2mg after each loose bowel movement, to a maximum dose of 12–16mg daily
• Chronic diarrhoea: 4–8mg daily (sometimes up to 16mg daily), taken 2x daily

How quickly will it start to work?

Within 1–2 hours                  
          

How long will the effects last?

6–18 hours                     
          

When should I stop using it?

Can be safely stopped as soon as no longer needed.  
 

Is it safe for prolonged use?

No problems expected, but loperamide is only taken for prolonged periods by those with a medically diagnosed chronic gastrointestinal condition.                                                

What are the possible side effects?

Side effects with loperamide are rare and some are difficult to distinguish from symptoms of the underlying illness being treated.

The following have been reported:

• Less common: headache, bloating, abdominal pain, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation
• Report to your doctor before taking your next dose if you experience: itchy skin, rash

What other considerations are important?

Dosage may be adjusted by your doctor under certain conditions.

• Certain health problems: liver/kidney problems, recent abdominal surgery, infection/blockage in the intestine, pseudomembranous colitis, ulcerative colitis.
• Other medicines: No known drug interactions
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Safety in pregnancy not established, may affect the breastfed baby
• Children: Not recommended under 4 years, reduced doses necessary in older children (increased sensitivity to the effects of this drug)
• Over 60: No special problems
• Driving and hazardous work: Caution, the drug can cause dizziness or drowsiness
• Alcohol: No known problems