Overview:
Loperamide is used to prevent diarrhea or to control the movement of stool in various diseases and procedures like inflammatory bowel disease and ileostomy (a procedure to create an opening in the abdomen for feces excretion). Loperamide slows down the peristalsis movements of the GIT (gastrointestinal tract) and thickens the consistency of stool, and prevents diarrhea.
Loperamide can cause an irregular heartbeat that can lead to fainting or death; before taking it, please do discuss with your doctor if you have any heart complications like prolonged QT interval (irregular heartbeat).
Drug Group:
Loperamide is an opioid analog drug that acts on the opioid receptors on the GIT, decreasing the peristalsis movement in the intestines and increasing the absorption of fluid in the intestine, thus preventing diarrhea.
What Are the Uses of Loperamide?
Loperamide is used to control diarrhea in the following conditions:
1. Acute Diarrhea: Loperamide is used to stop diarrhea that is ongoing for two weeks or travelers’ diarrhea.
2. Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome: Loperamide is used to prevent loose and continuous diarrhea associated with IBS.
3. Ileostomy: Loperamide is prescribed in the condition of ileostomy to decrease the fluid content and movement of feces in the procedure, ileostomy.
Important:
Loperamide tends to cause an increase in the heart rate, so it needs to be taken cautiously.
How Does Loperamide Work?
Loperamide acts as an agonist on the opioid receptors of GIT and causes several mechanisms of action like decreasing the peristalsis of the intestines, increasing fluid absorption from the GIT, and controlling anal sphincter muscle; all these operations stop the movement of diarrhea. Because of Loperamides’ low oral absorption and inability to cross the blood-brain barrier, it has minimal central nervous system effects. It shows low oral absorption and does not cross the blood-brain barrier, so it acts less on the nervous system and prominently on the GIT. Loperamide is the only symptomatic treatment for diarrhea; it does not work on the cause of diarrhea.
The Onset of Action:
Loperamide is less significantly absorbed from the GIT. Peak plasma concentrations are attained after five hours of oral administration. It shows 95 % of plasma protein binding and with an elimination half-life of 10.8 hours. Excretion of Loperamide mainly occurs through feces.
Habit-Forming:
Loperamide is an opioid drug that can cause dependency and has a high potential for abuse. It can show withdrawal symptoms; hence should only be taken and stopped following the prescription of the doctor.
Expiry Date:
Always avoid toxicity and unwanted effects due to the drug, and it is highly recommended to check the label of the drug for the expiry date.
What Is the Dosage of Loperamide?
Loperamide is available in the dosage forms: tablet 2 mg, capsule 2 mg, chewable tablet 2 mg, liquid 1 mg/5 ml, and suspension 1 mg/7.5 ml.
Note:
Do not overuse or misuse the Loperamide; always follow the dose given by your doctor. It can cause serious heart-related side effects.
How to Use Loperamide?
Do not self-medicate with Loperamide; use this medication only under the prescription of the doctor. It is taken orally, usually after every loose purgation. The adult dose should not exceed 16 mg per day, and the child’s dose should be calculated based on age and weight. It should not be used in children younger than two years. A chewable tablet should be used on an empty stomach and chewed thoroughly.
Always use a metered spoon and cup that comes along with the packaging of the medication for the administration of the drug.
If you do not notice any improvement in your diarrhea even after 48 hours of its use, stop this medication and consult your doctor.
Missed Dose:
If you miss the dose, take it immediately; however, if it is nearly time for your next dose, then take the next dose and do not overdose.
What Are the Drug Warnings and Precautions?
Consider the following precautions and warnings while taking Loperamide:
-
When higher doses of Loperamide are consumed, it can cause serious complications like Torsades de Pointes (a kind of irregular heartbeat that can be fatal), death, or dependence.
-
It should not be used on children less than two years.
-
Please discuss with the doctor if, along with Loperamide, you are taking or planning to take medications like Amiodarone, Thioridazine, Moxifloxacin, Chlorpromazine, Pentamidine, Haloperidol, Procainamide, Quinidine, Sotalol, Methadone, and Ziprasidone.
-
If you are pregnant or a nursing mother, please discuss this with your doctor before taking this medication.
What Are the Side Effects of Loperamide?
While on medication Loperamide, if you experience any of the following symptoms, please seek emergency medical attention-
-
Dizziness.
-
Fainting.
-
Rash.
-
Red blisters on the skin.
-
Wheezing.
-
Irregular heartbeat.
-
Bloody stool.
-
Breathlessness.
-
Fever.
What Are the Interactions of Loperamide?
Interaction of the drug with any drugs or food can change the efficacy or can result in serious effects, so it is important to keep the following interactions of the Loperamide into consideration:
-
Drugs like Pramlintide, anticholinergics such as Scopolamine, Antispasmodics, or any antibiotic, when administered with Loperamide, can cause constipation.
-
Drugs like Amiodarone, Thioridazine, Moxifloxacin, Chlorpromazine, Pentamidine, Haloperidol, Procainamide, Quinidine, Sotalol, Methadone, and Ziprasidone, when taken with Loperamide, can cause serious effects such as increased heartbeat.
-
Drugs like Gemfibrozil and Itraconazole, when taken with Loperamide, can increase their activity.
What Are the Common Brands or Trade Names of Loperamide?
Common brands of Loperamide are-
-
Imodium.
-
Imotil.
-
Pepto.
-
Maalox.
-
Eldoper.
-
Lopewell 2.
