LOPERAMIDE |
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LOPERAMIDE
BRAND & GENERIC NAMES
Imodium
BASIC INFORMATION
Habit forming? No, unless taken in high doses for long periods.
Prescription needed? Yes
Available as generic? No
Drug class: Antidiarrheal
USES
Relieves diarrhea and reduces volume of discharge from
ileostomies and colostomies.
DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION
How to take:
Capsule--Swallow with food to lessen stomach irritation.
Liquid--Follow label instructions and use marked dropper.
When to take:
No more often than directed on label.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2
hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Blocks digestive tract's nerve supply, which reduces
irritability and contractions in intestinal tract.
Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 2 hours.
Don't take with:
Any other medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Constipation, lethargy, drowsiness or unconsciousness.
WHAT TO DO:
Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If child takes much larger
amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or
hospital emergency room for instructions.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO
Life-threatening:
None expected.
Common:
None expected.
Infrequent:
Rash. Discontinue. Call doctor right
away.
Drowsiness, dry Continue. Call doctor
mouth, bloating, when convenient.
constipation, appetite
loss, stomach pain.
Rare:
Unexplained fever. Discontinue. Call doctor right
away.
WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if:
You have severe colitis.
You have colitis resulting from antibiotic treatment or
infection.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you are dehydrated from fluid loss caused by diarrhea.
If you have liver disease.
Pregnancy:
No proven harm. Avoid if possible.
Infants & children:
Don't give to infants or toddlers. Use only under doctor's
supervision for children older than 2.
Prolonged use:
Habit forming at high dose.
Skin & sunlight:
No age-related problems expected.
Driving or hazardous activities:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine
affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb
ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink
alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.
Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's
instructions.
After discontinuing, consult doctor if you experience muscle
cramps, nausea, vomiting, trembling, stomach cramps or unusual
sweating.
Others:
Follow warnings on package.
If acute diarrhea lasts longer than 48 hours, discontinue and
call doctor. In chronic diarrhea, loperamide is unlikely to be
effective if diarrhea doesn't improve in 10 days.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS
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| Antibiotics |
May delay removal of |
| (cephalosporins, |
toxins from colon in |
| clindamycins, |
cases of diarrhea |
| lincomycins, |
caused by side effects |
| penicillins, |
of these antibiotics. |
| see Drugs Glossary) |
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
| Marijuana: |
None expected. |
| Tobacco: |
None expected. |
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