Details

Loperamide slows the rhythm of digestion so that the small intestines have more time to absorb fluid and nutrients from the foods you eat. Loperamide is used to treat diarrhoea. Loperamide is also used to reduce the amount of stool in people who have an ileostomy (re-routing of the bowel through a surgical opening in the stomach). Before taking loperamide, tell your doctor if you have a fever, mucus in your stools, a history of liver disease, or if you are taking an antibiotic. Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking loperamide. Loperamide may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Typical Uses

Loperamide is used to treat sudden diarrhoea (including traveller’s diarrhoea). It works by slowing down the movement of the gut. This decreases the number of bowel movements and makes the stool less watery. Loperamide is also used to reduce the amount of discharge in patients who have undergone an ileostomy. It is also used to treat on-going diarrhoea in people with inflammatory bowel disease. Loperamide treats only the symptoms, not the cause of the diarrhoea (e.g., infection). Do not use in children younger than 6 years unless directed by your doctor. This medication should not be used in infants younger than 24 months.

Side Effects

Stop taking loperamide and inform your doctor immediately if you have a serious side effect such as stomach pain or bloating ongoing or worsening diarrhoea diarrhoea that is watery or bloody or severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Drug Interactions

• Loperamide+acrivastine- Using loperamide together with acrivastine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications.
• Loperamide+amitriptyline- Using loperamide together with amitriptyline may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications.
• Loperamide+amoxapine- Using loperamide together with amoxapine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications.
• Loperamide+belladonna- Using loperamide together with belladonna may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications.
• Loperamide+codeine- Using loperamide together with codeine can increase the blood levels or add to the side effects of either medication. Talk with your doctor before using these medications together.

Mechanism of action

Loperamide belongs to a category of drugs called as anti-diarrheal used to treat diarrhoea. It acts by slowing down the movement of an overactive bowel, which helps in absorption of water and salts from the body that are usually lost in diarrhoea.

Pregnancy Category : C