Loperamide Hydrochloride Oral tablet Health Article

Generic name(s):

Loperamide Hydrochloride Oral tablet

Brand name(s):

Anti-Diarrhea, Anti-Diarrheal, Anti-Diarrheal Caplets, Diamode, Diar-Aid, Imodium, Imodium A-D, Imodium A-D EZ Chews, Imodium A-D New Formula, Imotil, Kao-Paverin, Kaopectate Caplet, Loperamide Hydrochloride, Maalox, Maalox Anti-Diarrheal, Pepto Diarrhea Control

What is this medicine?

LOPERAMIDE (loe PER a mide) is used to treat diarrhea.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• a black or bloody stool
• bacterial food poisoning
• colitis or mucus in your stool
• currently taking an antibiotic medication for an infection
• fever
• liver disease
• severe abdominal pain, swelling or bulging
• an unusual or allergic reaction to loperamide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. This medicine is not for regular use. Only take this medicine while you continue to have loose bowel movements. Do not take more medicine than recommended by the packaging label or by your healthcare professional.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• alosetron

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• quinidine
• ritonavir
• saquinavir

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Do not take this medicine for more than 1 week without asking your doctor or health care professional. If your symptoms do not start to get better after two days, you may have a problem that needs further evaluation. Check with your doctor or health care professional right away if you develop a fever, severe abdominal pain, swelling or bulging, or if you have have bloody/black diarrhea or stools.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase possible drowsiness and dizziness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe. Drinking plenty of water can also help prevent dehydration that can occur with diarrhea.

Elderly patients may have a more variable response to the effects of this medicine, and are more susceptible to the effects of dehydration.