Pronunciation: loe-PER-a-mide
Generic Name: Loperamide
Brand Name: Imodium
Loperamide Capsules is used for:
Treating symptoms of certain types of diarrhea. It is also used to decrease the amount of discharge from an ileostomy. It may also be used for to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Loperamide Capsules is an antidiarrheal agent. It works by slowing the movement of bowel contents.
Do NOT use Loperamide Capsules if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Loperamide Capsules
- you have stomach pain without diarrhea
- you have constipation, stomach bloating, or bloody stools
- the patient is a child younger than 2 years (24 months) old
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Loperamide Capsules:
Some medical conditions may interact with Loperamide Capsules. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have bloody diarrhea; mucus in your stool; fever; bowel problems (eg, inflammation, blockage, enlarged colon); or diarrhea caused by food poisoning, antibiotic use, or bacterial infection
- if you have AIDS or liver problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Loperamide Capsules. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Quinidine or ritonavir because they may increase the risk of Loperamide Capsules's side effects
- Saquinavir because its effectiveness may be decreased by Loperamide Capsules
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Loperamide Capsules may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Loperamide Capsules:
Use Loperamide Capsules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Loperamide Capsules by mouth with or without food.
- Drinking extra fluids is recommended while you have diarrhea. Check with your doctor if you have questions.
- If you miss a dose of Loperamide Capsules and are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Loperamide Capsules.
Important safety information:
- Loperamide Capsules may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or tiredness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Loperamide Capsules with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do not take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than 48 hours without checking with your doctor.
- If your diarrhea does not get better within 48 hours or if it gets worse, contact your doctor.
- If you develop a fever, stomach bloating or swelling, or blood in your stools, contact your doctor.
- Loperamide Capsules is used to treat the symptoms of diarrhea, but will not treat the condition causing the diarrhea. Check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about the cause of your diarrhea.
- Caution is advised when using Loperamide Capsules in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dehydration.
- Do not use Loperamide Capsules in CHILDREN younger than 2 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Loperamide Capsules while you are pregnant. Loperamide Capsules is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Loperamide Capsules.
Possible side effects of Loperamide Capsules:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. No COMMON side effects have been reported with this product. Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); constipation; decreased urination; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; stomach bloating, swelling, or pain.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Loperamide side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include constipation; decreased urination; nausea; severe drowsiness or constipation; vomiting.
Proper storage of Loperamide Capsules:
Store at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Loperamide Capsules out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Loperamide Capsules, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Loperamide Capsules is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Loperamide Capsules. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Loperamide resources
- Loperamide Side Effects (in more detail)
- Loperamide Dosage
- Loperamide Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Loperamide Drug Interactions
- Loperamide Support Group
- 8 Reviews for Loperamide - Add your own review/rating
Compare Loperamide with other medications
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- Diarrhea, Chronic
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