Loperamide, whose brand name is Imodium and its other name is Loperamide hydrochloride, is a medication used to decrease the frequency of diarrhea. It is often used for inflammatory bowel disease and short bowel syndrome. It works by slowing down the contraction of the intestines by decreasing the speed at which the contents pass through it. As a result, it allows more time for the reabsorption of fluids and nutrients, making the stools more solid and less frequent. It is a gastrointestinal medication.Diarrhea is a condition in which bowel movements are too frequent, leading to loose, watery stool. Acute diarrhea is a common problem and generally lasts for one or two days, whereas chronic diarrhea lasts for weeks.
The most common side effects are headache, nausea, and constipation. Most of these are temporary or short-termed and usually resolves with time. It is advisable to seek your doctor's attention if you are concerned about any of these side effects. It is known sometimes to cause dizziness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. Avoiding alcohol while taking this medicine is strongly advised as it may worsen your sleepiness.
Consumption of alcohol and loperamide is not recommended as it can have unpleasant side effects on patients. In addition, it is not advisable to take loperamide tablets in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Please, consult your doctor for advice before using the loperamide tablet.
Women who are breastfeeding should seek their doctor's advice for proper guidance in treatment as small amounts of loperamide may appear in breast milk if consumed, which makes it not recommended in breastfeeding mothers.When using loperamide, it is advisable to use caution or avoid driving a car or operating machinery because dizziness or drowsiness may occur when diarrhea is treated with loperamide. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. It is advisable to eat small meals at short intervals. Eat food that is at room temperature. Avoid oily food as it may worsen your condition. Do mild to moderate exercise while on loperamide. It is especially advised that you monitor your potassium level closely as it is essential for the body's functioning. Please note that loperamide is not addictive in nature and is not used to treat mental disorders.
Loperamide tablet is known to interact with medicines used to treat HIV, abnormal heart rhythms (quinidine), excess urination (oral desmopressin), fungal infections (itraconazole, ketoconazole), and high cholesterol (gemfibrozil).Loperamide tablets are known to interact if you have bloody stools, ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon), renal impairment, diarrhea with fever, or diarrhea caused due to antibiotic medication. In addition, loperamide tablets should not be taken along with alcohol as it is known to potentiate the central nervous system and lead to excessive drowsiness or sleepiness.Lopamide contraindicationsIf you are suffering from any of the following diseases, you should not take loperamide unless your doctor advises you to do so:
- Heart diseases
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Gastritis
- Fever
- Ulcerative colitis
