If you will be taking this medicine for chronic diarrhea, it is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits for any problems or unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine. If you will be taking this medicine for acute diarrhea, you should not use it for more than 2 days, unless directed by your doctor. This medicine may cause heart rhythm problems eg, torsades de pointes, ventricular arrhythmias. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have chest pain or discomfort, fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, fainting, or trouble breathing.
Loperamide may increase your risk for stomach or bowel problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have bloating, blood in the stools, constipation, fever, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, or stomach pain. This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Check with your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine. This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, or drowsy, or tired. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription over-the-counter [OTC] medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
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Electrolytes are salts the body needs to function well. Having very low levels of fluids and electrolytes can be dangerous.
This condition is called dehydration. The active ingredient in Imodium is the drug loperamide. It works by making the muscles in your intestines contract more slowly. This in turn slows the movement of food and fluids through your digestive tract, which allows the bowel to absorb more fluids and nutrients.
The process makes your bowel movements smaller, more solid, and less frequent. It also decreases the amount of fluids and electrolytes your body loses. Imodium is available as a caplet and a liquid. Both forms are taken by mouth. These forms should be used for no more than two days.
However, the caplet is also available in a prescription form that may be used long-term. The prescription-strength form is used to treat diarrhea caused by digestive diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.
The recommended dosage is 4 mg to start, followed by 2 mg for each loose stool that occurs after that. Dosage should be based on weight.
When using either weight or age, use the following information:. Imodium is generally well-tolerated by many people. However, it can sometimes cause some side effects. Serious side effects of Imodium are rare.
Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:. Imodium interacts with certain drugs that break down in the body in the same way. The interactions can lead to increased levels of either medication in your body.
Imodium also interacts with other anti-diarrheal drugs or medications that cause constipation. Imodium is a safe medication for most people. However, it should be used carefully. And in some cases, it should be avoided. The following warnings can help keep you safe. The most common cause of acute diarrhoea is an infection.
Many bacteria, viruses, and other germs can cause diarrhoea. In most cases the diarrhoea settles as your body's immune system clears the infection. Antidiarrhoeal medicines like loperamide may not be necessary; however, they can be helpful if you wish to reduce the number of trips that you need to make to the toilet.
Most people only need to take loperamide for a day or so. Loperamide works by slowing down the activity of your bowel. This reduces the speed at which the contents pass through, and so food remains in your intestines for longer.
This allows more water to be absorbed back into your body and results in firmer stools that are passed less often. Because loperamide regulates the passage of food through the digestive system, it can also help people with diarrhoea associated with irritable bowel syndrome, and people who need help to regulate their bowel activity following surgery on the intestines.
You can buy loperamide from retail outlets or get it on prescription from your doctor; however, it is not suitable for children under the age of 12 years unless it has been prescribed by a doctor.
To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start taking loperamide it is important that you speak with your doctor or pharmacist:. Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with loperamide.
You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome. If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to loperamide, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice. Never take more than the prescribed dose.
If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.
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