Imodium (Loperamide)

What is Imodium?

Imodium is a medicine used to relieve diarrhea.

What is Imodium used for?

Imodium is indicated for the treatment of sudden diarrhea (including traveler’s diarrhea). Imodium is used to reduce the amount of discharge in patients who have undergone ilestomy. It is also used to treat ongoing diarrhea in people with inflammatory bowel disease.

How does Imodium work?

Imodium works by slowing down the gut movement of the patient which results in decreased number of bowel movements and hence makes stool less watery.

How to use Imodium

Follow your doctor’s instructions wisely. Imodium is an oral medicine and usually taken after each loose stool. Dosage is based according to your condition and response to the therapy. For children, dosage depends on the age and weight of the child. In case of self-treatment adults should not take more than 8 milligrams in 24 hours.

Remember if you are taking chewable Imodium tablets then you should have it on an empty stomach.

Diarrhea leads to excessive water loss from the body. Therefore it is advised that you have plenty of fluids to make for the lost water.

Do inform your doctor if your diarrhea does not improve in 2 days and inform your doctor if diarrhea continues after 10 days.

Remember to take Imodium after every loose stool or as suggested by the doctor.

Imodium warnings and precautions

Do not use Imodium if you are suffering from blood or mucus in the stool, high fever, HIV infection, liver problems, and certain types of bowel disease, Shigella or Salmonella.

Always consult your doctor before taking this medicine. Inform your doctor about your allergies and also tell him if you have abdominal pain without diarrhea or bowel obstruction.

Do not use anti-diarrhea products after recent antibiotic use because it can make Imodium action worse.

Avoid performing activities like driving and using heavy machinery after taking Imodium because it requires alertness but the medicine may cause dizziness.

What do I do if I have missed a Imodium dose?

If you have missed a dose of Imodium use it as soon as you remember it. In case it has neared your next dose then you may skip your missed dose any continue with your usual dosage. You should never double your dose.

Imodium is usually taken on an as needed basis.

What do I do if I have taken a Imodium overdose?

If you have taken an overdose of Imodium, you should seek medical help right away.

Imodium interactions

Before taking Imodium, tell your doctor about all the medicines that you are on, especially pramlintide because it causes very serious interaction with this medicine.

Do inform your doctor about prescription and nonprescription products that you use especially recent antibiotics like anticholinergics, belladonna, antispasmodics, cholestyramine, quinidine, ritonavir or saquinavir. Do not start stop or change the dosage before checking with the doctor.

Imodium side effects

Imodium side effects include drowsiness, tiredness, mild stomach ache, mild skin rash, itching, constipation or dizziness.

More serious side effects from Imodium consist of severe constipation, vomiting, stomach or abdominal pain, nausea, uncomfortable fullness of stomach. If you are suffering from any of these problem stop taking Imodium and seek your doctor’s advice at once.