Loperamide

Anti-diarrhoea capsules, Loperamide 2mg (Imodium), for travellers' diarrhoea, available to buy online from Dr Fox.

• Reduces bowel spasm and frequency of diarrhoea

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How does loperamide work?

Loperamide reduces the spasm in the bowel and reduces the frequency of diarrhoea. It works best if started early in the diarrhoea. During diarrhoea, fluid is lost from the body. Fluids should be replaced by drinking 3-4 litres or 6 pints of fluid a day.

The antibiotic azithromycin also speeds recovery in travellers' diarrhoea.

Avomine, which is prescribed for travel sickness, could also be taken to reduce any associated vomiting which will help reduce fluid loss. This cannot be used if also taking azithromycin.

Cautions

Loperamide should not be taken:

• When diarrhoea starts after a course of antibiotic.
• If diarrhoea is related to an inflammatory bowel condition( e.g Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis).
• Where there has been prolonged constipation before diarrhoea starts.
• Where the diarrhoea contains blood and there is a high fever.
• If you have liver disease.
• Not suitable for children.
• Should not be taken in pregnancy and breastfeeding women.
• Loperamide contains lactose.

Other medications

Some other medications may slightly increase the dose of loperamide in your system:

• Ritonavir (for HIV).
• Quinidine (for abnormal heart rhythms or malaria).
• Itraconazole or ketoconazole (for fungal infections).
• Gemfibrozil (for high cholesterol).

Side effects

There may be no side effects. Possible side effects include:

• Feeling sick(nausea), constipation, headache.
• Loperamide occasionally causes drowsiness or dizziness. If affected you should not drive, cycle, or operate machinery.

Dosage

Take two capsules straight away. Then take one capsule after each episode of diarrhoea for up to 48 hours. The maximum number of capsules in a day is 6 (12mg). The usual amount is 3-4 capsules (6-8mg) daily. It should be stopped and a doctor consulted, if there is no improvement after 48 hours.

Patient Information Leaflet

The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine and must be read before taking the medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine.

Loperamide patient leaflet

Authored 22 March 2010 by Dr Tony Steele
MB ChB Sheffield University 1983. Former hospital doctor and GP. GMC no. 2825328

Reviewed by Dr A. Wood, Dr C. Pugh, Dr B. Babor
Last reviewed 25 November 2021
Last updated 30 November 2023