For many of us, having a bowel movement or having a loose bowel movement is a very common and also very uncomfortable experience. Sometimes, when you have to go on an important trip or while doing work, the anxiety and discomfort that comes with this can be unbearable. So, at this time, you may also be asking for a 'diarrhea-stopping medicine' from a pharmacy in the hope of quick relief. Today, we are talking about a medicine called 'Loperamide' that is used by many people. There are a few important things that we need to know before using this.
What is Loperamide?
Simply put, loperamide is a medicine that is used to treat diarrhea. It belongs to a group of medicines called antidiarrheals. It works by slowing down the movement of your bowels, which can help you feel less hungry and less likely to need to go to the bathroom.
The most important thing is that this is a short-term medication. It is not a medication that should be taken continuously for days. It is often known by the brand name Imodium AD.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before you use loperamide, you should definitely inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions. Hiding this information could be very harmful to your health.
| Your situation | Why is it important for the doctor? |
|---|---|
| If there is blood in the stool or if the stool is black | This could be a sign of a serious infection, bleeding, or other condition in the intestines. Loperamide may make this condition worse. |
| If you have a high fever | Fever is a sign that the body is fighting an infection. If you have diarrhea along with a fever, the cause needs to be identified and treated. |
| If you have severe stomach pain or bloating | These could be signs of a serious condition, such as a bowel obstruction. |
| If you have mucus in your stool or a condition like colitis | In such cases, stopping the functioning of the intestines can delay the elimination of germs from the body and worsen the disease. |
| If you have liver disease | This medicine is removed from the body by the liver. If the liver is weak, the medicine can accumulate in the body and increase side effects. |
| Heart rhythm irregularities or a history of heart disease | Taking too much loperamide can affect your heart rate. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | In these cases, it is imperative to seek medical advice before taking any medication. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
Since this medicine comes in the form of a suspension, you need to shake the bottle well before using it . This will ensure that the ingredients in the medicine are mixed properly.
Use only the specially marked spoon or cup that comes with the medicine to measure it. Do not measure with household teaspoons or tablespoons, as they may not measure accurately. Doing so may result in either underdosing or overdosing. Always take your medicine exactly as directed on the medicine label or as directed by your doctor.
You need to be very careful when giving this to small children!
Doctors may prescribe this medicine to children over the age of 6 in some special cases. However, do not give this medicine to young children without medical advice. Children's bodies may react differently to this, so you need to be very careful about it.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdosage)
This is very important. If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not panic and immediatelyCall the National Poison Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. This is something that should not be delayed.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Loperamide can interact with other medications you are taking, so it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
| Reaction type | Types of drugs |
|---|---|
| Drugs that should never be taken with loperamide | |
| Should be avoided completely. | Alosetron |
| Other drugs that can cause problems with loperamide | |
| Use only on medical advice. | Drugs like Cimetidine, Clarithromycin, Erythromycin, Gemfibrozil, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, Quinidine, Quinine, Ranitidine, Ritonavir, Saquinavir |
This list is not exhaustive. Tell your doctor about any Ayurvedic medicines, vitamins, and anything else you are taking.
Things to consider when taking medication
- If diarrhea does not subside after using this for more than two days , stop using it. See a doctor immediately.
- If you have a fever, severe stomach pain, bloating, abdominal bloating, or bloody or black stools, stop taking the medicine and see a doctor.
- This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy . Therefore, avoid doing tasks that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, while taking this medicine.
- Since a lot of water is lost from the body during bowel movements, there is a high risk of dehydration . Therefore , it is very important to drink plenty of fluids such as water, juice, and porridge.
- If you feel like your mouth is dry, chewing sugarless gum and drinking lots of water can help. If this persists, tell your doctor .
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, loperamide can cause side effects in some people.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. |
| Severe skin reactions | Skin redness, blistering, peeling (even inside the mouth). |
| Severe stomach pain or constipation | Even if the diarrhea stops, severe stomach pain or no bowel movements for days. |
| Difficulty urinating | Difficulty urinating or little urine output. |
| Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (but tell your doctor if they persist) | |
| Bloating, constipation (after diarrhea stops), dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision. | |
Take-Home Message
- Loperamide is a medicine used only for sudden, short-term diarrhea .
- If you have symptoms such as fever, blood in your stool, or black stool , do not take this medicine without medical advice.
- It is essential to inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
- Drink plenty of fluids (water, juices) to prevent dehydration during diarrhea.
- If you take too much medicine, go to the National Poisons Information Centre or Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- If diarrhea does not subside after two days of using the medicine, stop taking the medicine and see a doctor.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What are Loperamide / Imodium tablets/capsules used for?
This is a very powerful anti-diarrhea medicine that can be purchased over the counter (OTC) from pharmacies! Doctors often prescribe this pill/capsule to patients who have been passing loose, watery stools for a long time to stop it, relieve stomach pain, and make the patient feel better immediately.
💬 How do you stop diarrhea immediately after taking this medicine (Loperamide)?
This drug (belongs to the opioid family, but does not reach the brain) attacks the muscles in the intestines (Mu-opioid receptors) as soon as it enters the intestines. When the intestines move rapidly, the intestines push the stool out, and when this pill is taken, it slows down/halts that pushing speed/movement by 100%. Then, when the stool is too much in the intestines, it absorbs water (Absorption) and the stool thickens, stopping diarrhea.
💬 Even though this is the best pill for diarrhea, when should you not take it at all?
If you have diarrhea caused by a serious bacteria (e.g. Salmonella, C. diff) that causes bloody/mucus-filled diarrhea, or if you have a high fever, never take this loperamide (Imodium) pill! Because when this pill stops the bowels, the serious bacteria can build up in the intestines, causing the intestines to burst and kill the patient (Toxic megacolon). Also, if the dose is increased, it can cause heart attacks (Torsades de pointes/Arrhythmias)!
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