Loperamide: How It Works

Image credit: walmart.com

What are the side effects of loperamide?

Avoid alcohol. Bloating, loss of appetite, stomach pain, and skin rash are also rare side effects of loperamide. Respiratory depression and serious cardiac reactions have also occurred. Rarely have allergic reactions including anaphylaxis have been reported.

Can loperamide cause constipation?

Constipation (this may be a sign that too much loperamide has been taken). Discontinue loperamide if constipation occurs. Rarely may cause dizziness or drowsiness which may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcohol. Bloating, loss of appetite, stomach pain, and skin rash are also rare side effects of loperamide.

How do you take loperamide?

Loperamide comes as a tablet, capsule, and as a suspension or solution (liquid) to take by mouth. Nonprescription (over-the-counter) loperamide usually is taken immediately after each loose bowel movement but not more than the 24-hour maximum amount described on the label.

How does loperamide work?

Loperamide works by acting on mu-opioid receptors in the gut to slow down the movement of the gut, which in turn, slows down contractions in the intestines. This allows more time for fluids and nutrients to be absorbed back into the body, which makes the stool less watery and decreases the number of times you go to the toilet.

What information is available on loperamide?

More information is available on loperamide including side effects, age restrictions, food interactions, whether the medicine is available at a government subsidised price on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) as well as other useful information.

What is loperamide used for?

Last updated on Oct 1, 2023. What is loperamide? Loperamide may be used to treat diarrhea or to reduce the amount of stool (poop) in people who have an ileostomy (which is when a surgeon re-routes your bowel through a small opening in your torso).

When was loperamide first used?

Loperamide is an over-the-counter oral antidiarrheal agent made in 1969, first used medically in 1976, and became available without a prescription in 1988. Initially, due to its opioid-like abuse potential, it was categorized as a Schedule V drug by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).

Can loperamide cause side effects?

Like all medicines, loperamide can cause side effects, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones. These common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away: It's rare to have a serious side effect with loperamide.

What Is Loperamide

1. https://www.drugs.com/loperamide.html
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loperamide
3. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/loperamide/
4. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682280.html
5. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4789-4025/loperamide-oral/loperamide-oral/details
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/loperamide-oral-route/description/drg-20064573
7. https://www.healthline.com/health/diarrhea/imodium
8. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicines/medicinal-product/aht,21377/loperamide

Loperamide Information

1. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00836
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557885/