Antidiarrheal drug for adults and children loperamide. Loperamide - instructions for use Loperamide recipe in Latin

Loperamide is an antidiarrheal medicine. These tablets help fight diarrhea in both adults and children.

The human intestine is capable of absorbing 99% of liquid, but during diarrhea its absorption deteriorates. The intestines lose the ability to absorb water normally.

As a result, with diarrhea, a person develops loose stools that contain a large amount of water.

Also, with diarrhea, the work of the stomach accelerates, which is why many people with this pathology have difficulty controlling the urge to defecate.

What effect does Loperamide have on the body?

  • Normalizes the process of absorption of liquid by the intestines.
  • Reduces the amount of water entering the lumen of the stomach.
  • Normalizes muscle activity of the stomach.
  • Reduces the passage of stomach contents.
  • Reduces the release of electrolytes in feces.
  • Increases the tone of the anal sphincter.
  • Helps reduce the frequency of the urge to defecate.
  • Helps retain feces in the intestines.

Loperamide capsules, once in the stomach, have a positive effect on the body during diarrhea. The medicine begins to act within the first hour after taking it.

To completely solve the problem of diarrhea, you need to wait 4 to 6 hours.

The medication can be taken to treat both chronic and acute diarrhea. It is useful to keep this remedy in every home medicine cabinet, especially if a person plans to travel to another country. Why?

One of the components of tourism is tasting local cuisine. The human body may find it difficult to digest a particular dish, as a result of which the traveler will face the problem of diarrhea.

If you keep Loperamide capsules in your medicine cabinet, this can be avoided.

You can take these tablets without fear for your health, because the active substance of the medication is easily excreted from the body and quickly absorbed by the liver.

This medication is excreted from the stomach along with bile. After taking this medicine, its active substance is eliminated from the body after 10-12 hours (in adults).

The main advantage of this product is its rapid action. Loperamide is completely absorbed into the blood within an hour and has a positive effect on eliminating diarrhea.

But it is important to understand that if you have diarrhea caused by an infection, you should not take Loperamide. The body thus gets rid of toxins and pathogens.

Release form of the drug

Loperamide comes in two forms: capsules and tablets.

  1. Pills. There are different packages of Loperamide tablets. The product can be sold in 10, 20 or more tablets. Their color is yellow or white.
  2. Capsules. The number of capsules in a Loperamide package also varies. There are 5,7 and 10 capsules.

Indications for use

You can take Loperamide tablets and capsules for both chronic and acute diarrhea. The etiology of the disease can be any.

That is, this remedy can be taken for diarrhea, even if it was caused by:

  • Allergies.
  • Radiation sickness.
  • Drug overdose.

In most cases, Loperamide is taken during diarrhea due to the fact that the pathology arose due to poor nutrition. But this cannot be done. If a person has eaten food of questionable origin, which may include rotten, spoiled or dirty food, he may experience loose stools. Loperamide is contraindicated in this case.

This remedy is also drunk in case of eating disorder. Loperamide is often prescribed by doctors if the absorption process in the human body is impaired.

This medication can be taken if a person experiences bloating during diarrhea, that is, metabolism.

These tablets are also prescribed by doctors if the patient has an ileostomy. If he suffers from diarrhea of ​​infectious origin, then this remedy is used in complex therapy.

Contraindications

Like any medicine, Loperamide capsules must be taken taking into account their contraindications.

Main contraindications of the drug:

  • The medication should not be taken by patients suffering from ulcerative colitis, especially if the disease is in the acute stage.
  • Patients with acute dysentery are not recommended to get rid of diarrhea with the help of this medication.
  • It should also not be taken if you have intestinal obstruction.
  • These capsules should not be taken by patients suffering from pseudomembranous colitis.
  • It is not recommended for pregnant women to take Loperamide tablets or capsules. They should also not be taken during breastfeeding.
  • It is not recommended to drink Loperamide for patients suffering from liver pathology.

If a person has an individual intolerance to any component of this drug, it should not be taken.

Patients with liver failure should treat diarrhea with this medication with caution.

As for pregnant women, there is an exception for them in taking the product.

They can take tablets and capsules of this medicine only if the doctor determines that the active substance of the medicine will not harm the fetus.

In addition, taking this medication during diarrhea is contraindicated in other cases:

  1. Children under 4 years of age are not recommended to take Loperamide capsules during diarrhea. They should also stop taking this medication in case of constipation and flatulence.
  2. Capsules of this medication should not be taken by people who are lactose intolerant. It is also worth refusing to take these capsules for patients with lactase deficiency, as well as for patients with diverculitis.

As for children under 6 years of age, they are not recommended to take capsules of this medicine.

Method of use of the medicine

Loperamide should be taken depending on the type of diarrhea.

  1. Acute form. In the acute form of the disease, the initial dose for an adult should be 2 tablets. Children's starting dose is 1 tablet. If loose stools do not go away within 24 hours, you should take 1 tablet of this remedy after each bowel movement.
  2. Chronic form. The initial dose of medication for adults and children with chronic diarrhea is the same as for acute diarrhea. Further, the dose of the drug should be adjusted individually.

Typically, with chronic diarrhea, an adult drinks about 4-6 capsules of medication per day. The maximum dose of the drug for chronic diarrhea is 8 tablets.

When should the medication be stopped? You can stop taking Loperamide if you have not had loose stools for 12 hours. If the problem has not been resolved, continue taking the medication.

Side effects

Since this medication affects the gastrointestinal tract, it has a number of side effects.

  • Dry mouth.
  • Nausea. In rare cases, vomiting occurs.
  • Flatulence.
  • Discomfortable sensations in the abdominal area.
  • Excessive fatigue, drowsiness.
  • Dizziness.
  • Skin rashes.
  • Intestinal colic.
  • Urinary retention. This side effect occurs in rare cases.

After the diarrhea goes away as a result of taking the medicine, the opposite effect may occur - constipation. Intestinal obstruction after taking Loperamide occurs extremely rarely.

special instructions

The drug begins to act within the first day after administration.

Therefore, if a patient does not feel better during diarrhea and his loose stools do not go away, he should go to the hospital for a medical examination.

The doctor must examine the patient and then clarify his diagnosis. If diarrhea occurs due to infection in the intestines, then treatment with an antidiarrheal agent will not be effective.

In this case, the patient will be prescribed drugs from a different pharmacological group.

When should you stop taking the medication? This must be done if the patient's diarrhea gives way to constipation. This side effect of the medication is a reason to immediately stop taking it.

Also, this antidiarrheal drug is discontinued if the patient has bloating, that is, if flatulence occurs.

Patients with liver pathology should take tablets of this drug only under the supervision of their attending physicians. Why? There is a risk of toxic damage to their nervous system.

It is very important that a person drinks water while treating this symptom. When a patient faces the problem of loose stool, his body becomes dehydrated.

To normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, the patient must drink at least two liters of fluid per day.

It is advisable to drink mineral water. Fluid loss during frequent bowel movements must be compensated regularly.

When the patient suffers from impaired intestinal motility, it is contraindicated to take this medication.

If a person takes more than 8 Loperamide tablets in a day, we can talk about an overdose of the drug. In this case, he needs an antidote. The best antidote is Naloxone.

This drug has the ability to negatively affect human cognitive functions. Therefore, those taking it to treat loose stools should avoid certain types of work.

It will be difficult for a person to concentrate and make decisions quickly. His reaction will slow down. Patients are not recommended to drive while being treated with this medication.

Overdose

  • A person's coordination of movements is impaired.
  • He can't concentrate.
  • Dizziness occurs.
  • A person quickly gets tired and drowsiness does not leave him.
  • He is having difficulty breathing.
  • Constipation occurs due to intestinal obstruction.

The first thing to do in case of an overdose is to take an antidote. Also, to alleviate the patient's condition, he can be given activated charcoal.

After this, you should give him an enema to flush out his stomach. This will remove excess active substance of the medication from the body.

Useful video

P N001229/01

Trade name of the drug:

Loperamide-Akrikhin

International nonproprietary name:

loperamide

Dosage form:

capsules

Compound:

1 capsule contains:
active substance- loperamide hydrochloride 2 mg;
Excipients: lactose (milk sugar), corn starch, colloidal silicon dioxide (aerosil), talc, magnesium stearate. Capsule composition: titanium dioxide, quinoline yellow dye, sunset yellow dye, gelatin.

Description.

Capsules No. 4 are yellow. The contents of the capsules are white or white-yellowish powder.

Pharmacotherapeutic group:

antidiarrheal agent.

ATX Code:

A07DA03.

pharmachologic effect

Pharmacodynamics.
Loperamide, by binding to opioid receptors of the intestinal wall (stimulation of choline and adrenergic neurons through guanine nucleotides), reduces the tone and motility of intestinal smooth muscles (by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine and prostaglandins). Slows down peristalsis and increases the transit time of intestinal contents. Increases the tone of the anal sphincter, promotes fecal retention and reduces the urge to defecate. The action develops quickly and lasts 4-6 hours.

Pharmacokinetics.
When taken orally, absorption is 40%. Maximum plasma concentration is achieved 2.5 hours after taking the capsules. Communication with plasma proteins (mainly with albumin) - 97%. Does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Almost completely metabolized by the liver by conjugation. The half-life is 9-14 hours (average 9.8 hours). It is excreted mainly in bile, a small part is excreted by the kidneys (in the form of conjugated metabolites).

Indications for use:

Symptomatic treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea of ​​various origins (allergic, emotional, medicinal, radiation; with changes in diet and quality composition of food, with metabolic and absorption disorders; as an adjuvant for diarrhea of ​​infectious origin). Regulation of bowel movements in patients with ileostomy.

Contraindications:

Hypersensitivity, intestinal obstruction, acute ulcerative colitis, diverticulosis, diarrhea due to acute pseudomembranous enterocolitis, dysentery and other gastrointestinal infections. Pregnancy (1st trimester), lactation period, children under 2 years of age (Loperamide-Akrikhin capsules are not prescribed to children under 6 years of age).

Carefully

Liver failure.

Directions for use and doses

Take orally, without chewing, with water.

For acute diarrhea, adults are initially prescribed 2 capsules (4 mg) of Loperamide-Akrikhin, then 1 capsule (2 mg) after each bowel movement in case of loose stools. The highest daily dose is 8 capsules (16 mg).

For chronic diarrhea, adults are prescribed 4 mg/day. The maximum daily dose is 16 mg.

For acute diarrhea, children over 6 years of age are prescribed an initial dose of 2 mg, then 2 mg after each bowel movement in case of loose stools. The maximum daily dose is 4 capsules (8 mg).

For chronic diarrhea, children over 6 years of age are prescribed Loperamide-Akrikhin in a daily dose of 2 mg. The maximum daily dose is 6 mg per 20 kg.

After normalization of stool or in the absence of stool for more than 12 hours, the drug should be discontinued.

Side effect

It is observed, as a rule, only with long-term use of the drug.

Possible allergic reactions (skin rash), drowsiness, dizziness, hypovolemia, electrolyte disturbances, dry mouth, intestinal colic, gastralgia, abdominal pain or discomfort, nausea, vomiting, flatulence.

Rarely - urinary retention, extremely rarely - intestinal obstruction.

Overdose

Symptoms: signs of depression of the function of the central nervous system (stupor, impaired coordination of movements, drowsiness, constriction of the pupils (miosis), increased skeletal muscle tone, respiratory depression), intestinal obstruction.
Treatment: Naloxone is used as a specific antidote. Considering that the duration of action of Loperamide-Akrikhin is longer than that of naloxone, repeated administration of the latter is possible. Symptomatic treatment: gastric lavage, taking activated carbon (in the first 3 hours after taking the drug), artificial ventilation.

special instructions

If there is no effect after 2 days of using Loperamide-Akrikhin, it is necessary to clarify the diagnosis and exclude the infectious genesis of diarrhea.

If constipation or bloating develops during treatment, Loperamide-Akrikhin should be discontinued. In patients with impaired liver function, careful monitoring for signs of toxic damage to the central nervous system is necessary. During the treatment of diarrhea, it is necessary to replace the loss of fluid and electrolytes.

Detailed instructions for use are published on this page. Loperamide. The available dosage forms of the drug (tablets and capsules 2 mg), as well as its analogues, are listed. Information is provided on the side effects that Loperamide can cause and on interactions with other medications. In addition to information about the diseases for the treatment and prevention of which the drug is prescribed (diarrhea or diarrhea), administration algorithms, possible dosages for adults and children are described in detail, and the possibility of use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is clarified. The abstract for Loperamide is supplemented with reviews from patients and doctors. Composition of the drug.

Instructions for use and dosage

Orally, without chewing, with water.

For adults with acute and chronic diarrhea, 2 capsules (0.004 g) are initially prescribed, then 1 capsule (0.002 g) after each bowel movement in case of loose stools. For acute diarrhea, children over 6 years of age are prescribed 1 capsule (0.002 g) after each bowel movement in case of loose stools.

Maximum daily dose. For acute and chronic diarrhea in adults - 8 capsules (0.016 g); for children - 3 capsules (0.006 g).

After normalization of stool or in the absence of stool for more than 12 hours, treatment with Loperamide should be discontinued.

Compound

Loperamide hydrochloride + excipients.

Release forms

Capsules 2 mg.

Tablets 2 mg.

Loperamide- antidiarrheal agent. Reduces the tone and motility of intestinal smooth muscles, apparently due to binding to opioid receptors in the intestinal wall. Inhibits the release of acetylcholine and prostaglandins, reducing peristalsis and increasing the transit time of contents through the intestines.

Increases the tone of the anal sphincter. The action occurs quickly and lasts 4-6 hours.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption - 40%. Does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Almost completely metabolized in the liver by conjugation. Excreted primarily by the intestines; a small part is excreted by the kidneys (in the form of conjugated metabolites).

Indications

  • symptomatic treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea of ​​various origins (allergic, emotional, medicinal, radiation: with changes in diet and quality food composition, with metabolic and absorption disorders: as an adjuvant for diarrhea of ​​infectious origin);
  • regulation of stool in patients with ileostomy.

Contraindications

  • hypersensitivity to the drug;
  • lactose intolerance;
  • lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption;
  • diverticulosis;
  • intestinal obstruction;
  • ulcerative colitis in the acute stage;
  • diarrhea due to acute pseudomembranous enterocolitis;
  • as monotherapy - dysentery and other gastrointestinal infections;
  • pregnancy (1st trimester);
  • lactation period;
  • Loperamide capsules are not prescribed to children under 6 years of age.

special instructions

If there is no effect after 2 days of using Loperamide, you should consult a doctor.

If constipation or bloating develops during treatment, loperamide should be discontinued. In patients with impaired liver function, careful monitoring for signs of toxic damage to the central nervous system is necessary.

During the treatment of diarrhea, it is necessary to replace the loss of fluid and electrolytes.

During the treatment period, care must be taken when driving vehicles and engaging in other potentially hazardous activities that require increased concentration and speed of psychomotor reactions.

Side effect

  • allergic reactions (skin rash);
  • drowsiness or insomnia;
  • dizziness;
  • dryness of the oral mucosa;
  • intestinal colic;
  • abdominal pain or discomfort;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • flatulence;
  • urinary retention;
  • intestinal obstruction.

Drug interactions

It is believed that when used concomitantly, cholestyramine may reduce the effectiveness of loperamide.

When used simultaneously with co-trimoxazole and ritonavir, the bioavailability of loperamide increases, which is due to inhibition of its metabolism during the “first pass” through the liver.

In case of an overdose of loperamide, naloxone is used as an antidote.

Analogues of the drug Loperamide

Structural analogues of the active substance:

  • Vero Loperamide;
  • Diara;
  • Diarol;
  • Imodium;
  • Laremid;
  • Lopedium;
  • Loperacap;
  • Loperamide Grindeks;
  • Loperamide Acri;
  • Loperamide hydrochloride;
  • Superilop;
  • Enterobene.

Use in children

The drug in capsules is contraindicated in children under 6 years of age.

Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Contraindicated in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.

In the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy, Loperamide can be prescribed in cases where the expected benefit of therapy for the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.

Since small amounts of Loperamide are found in breast milk, use during breastfeeding is not recommended.

(lat. Loperamide) is an antidiarrheal drug.

Chemical compound: 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-alpha,alpha-diphenyl-1-piperidine butanamide (as hydrochloride). The empirical formula is C 29 H 33 ClN 2 O 2. Phenylpiperdine derivative.

Loperamide is the international nonproprietary name (INN) of the drug. According to the pharmacological index, loperamide belongs to the group “Antidiarrheals”. According to ATC - to the group “A07 Antidiarrheal drugs”, subgroup “Drugs that reduce gastrointestinal motility” and has code A07DA03.

"" (and " Loperamide hydrochloride», « Loperamide-Acree», « Vero-Loperamide"), in addition, is the trade name of a number of drugs produced by pharmaceutical enterprises in the republics of the former USSR and India. Loperamide is available in the form of tablets or capsules (containing 2 mg of loperamide hydrochloride). Capsules, as excipients, contain: corn starch, lactose, talc, aerosil and magnesium stearate. The price for such a drug starts (as of September 2009) at approximately 13 rubles per package.

Loperamide is used for acute diarrhea of ​​a non-infectious nature, as well as for infectious diarrhea of ​​mild and moderate severity. Loperamide is the drug of choice for the treatment of traveler's diarrhea. The effect of the drug occurs quickly and lasts 4-6 hours. Loperamide inhibits intestinal motility, increases the tone of the anal sphincter, thereby reducing the urge to defecate and retains feces in the rectum.

Loperamide stimulates opioid mu receptors in the intestinal wall, resulting in inhibition of the release of acetylcholine and prostaglandins, which, in turn, leads to a decrease in propulsive intestinal motility and an increase in the transit time of its contents. This increases the absorption time of water and electrolytes, reduces their loss and reduces the loss and increases the time of the protective action of immunoglobulins, which are released into the intestinal lumen during acute intestinal diarrhea. Loperamide increases the tone of the anal sphincter, resulting in a decrease in the frequency and severity of the urge to defecate. Loperamide reduces mucus hypersecretion in the colon, in addition, it has an antisecretory effect, which is realized through both opioid and non-opioid receptors. Loperamide, due to the inhibition of calmodulin and blockade of calcium channels and due to the suppression of intestinal peptides and neurotransmitters that increase the permeability of plasma membranes, affects intestinal secretion (Ivashkin V.T.).

Currently, loperamide is the most effective drug with antidiarrheal action, and its antidiarrheal effect is due to inhibition of both the motor component of diarrhea and intestinal secretion. Loperamide belongs to the group of synthetic opiates, but binds only to peripheral opiate receptors, does not have a systemic narcotic effect and does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier. This is explained by the peculiarities of its biotransformation during the first passage through the liver and the absence of active metabolites in the blood. Loperamide can be successfully used for motor diarrhea with increased peristalsis (irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional diarrhea), but is not effective for diabetic enteropathy, scleroderma, amyloidosis. Moreover, in these situations it can worsen diarrhea. For secretory diarrhea, loperamide is also very effective due to its antisecretory opiate-like effect. For infectious diarrhea, the drug should be prescribed with caution, since the retention of the infectious agent in the body increases diarrhea and intoxication. Loperamide relieves diarrhea well in Crohn's disease, but it is not recommended for use in ulcerative colitis due to its blocking effect on the tone of the intestinal wall and the risk of developing toxic dilatation (Belousova E.A., Zlatkina A.R.).

Loperamide is the drug of choice for hypermotor variants of irritable bowel syndrome, so-called functional diarrhea, which, unlike organic (for example, infectious) diarrhea, is observed mainly in the morning, is associated with psycho-emotional factors and is not accompanied by pathological changes in stool tests. Loperamide inhibits the release of acetylcholine and prostaglandins in the colon and reduces its motor activity. The dose of loperamide is selected individually and, depending on the consistency of the stool, is from 1 to 6 capsules of 2 mg per day (Sheptulin A.A.).

Loperamide, as a drug that inhibits intestinal motility, is recommended for use in drug therapy for diabetic diarrhea (Kolesnikova E.V.). For anorectal dysfunction, which is a complication of diabetes mellitus, symptomatic therapy with loperamide will have a positive result and reduce the symptoms of urgency (Leites Yu.G., Galstyan G.R., Marchenko E.V.).

Professional medical publications addressing the effects of loperamide on the gastrointestinal tract :

  • Belousova E.A., Zlatkina A.R. Diarrhea syndrome in the practice of a gastroenterologist: pathophysiology and differentiated approach to treatment. Pharmateka. 2003, No. 10, p. 65-71.

  • Sheptulin A.A. Diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders.

  • Kolesnikova E.V. Endocrine diseases and pathology of the digestive organs // Journal “Mystery Likuvannya”. Ukraine. - 2006. - 8(34).

  • Leites Yu.G., Galstyan G.R., Marchenko E.V. Gastroenterological complications of diabetes mellitus. Consilium-Medicum. 2007. No. 2.

  • The FDA warns of serious cardiac problems with high doses of the antidiarrheal drug loperamide (Imodium), including abuse and misuse. June 7, 2016

  • FDA limits packaging size for antidiarrheal drug loperamide (Imodium) to increase safety of its use FDA limits packaging size for antidiarrheal drug loperamide (Imodium) to increase safety of its use. January 30, 2018
Indications for use:
  • non-infectious diarrhea of ​​various forms and different origins: acute and chronic, allergic, emotional, medicinal, radiation, due to changes in diet and type of food, due to metabolic and absorption disorders
  • infectious diarrhea (as an adjuvant)
  • regulation of stool in patients with ileostomy
Directions for use and dosage: orally (capsules - without chewing, with water; lingual tablet - on the tongue, within a few seconds it disintegrates, after which it is swallowed with saliva, without water). For acute diarrhea, adults are prescribed an initial dose of 4 mg; then 2 mg after each act of defecation (in the case of liquid stool); the highest daily dose is 16 mg. When prescribed in drops: initial dose - 60 drops of a 0.002% solution; then 30 drops after each bowel movement; maximum dose - 180 drops per day (6 times). For chronic diarrhea, adults are prescribed 4 mg per day. The maximum daily dose is 16 mg. For acute diarrhea, children over 5 years of age are prescribed an initial dose of 2 mg, then 2 mg after each act of defecation; the maximum daily dose is 8 mg. Drops: initial dose of 30 drops of a 0.002% solution; then 30 drops 3 times a day; maximum dose - 120 drops per day (in 4 doses). For chronic diarrhea, children over 5 years of age are prescribed loperamide in a daily dose of 30 drops or 2 mg. Children aged 2–5 years are prescribed in an oral solution of 5 ml (1 measuring cap) per 10 kg; frequency of administration - 2–3 times a day. The maximum daily dose is 6 mg per 20 kg. If normal stool appears or if there is no stool for more than 12 hours, the drug is discontinued (Instructions for use).

For acute diarrhea, the use of the lingual form of loperamide is preferable. The lingual tablet dissolves on the tongue within 2-3 seconds, the required concentration in the body is achieved within one hour, which is faster than when using other dosage forms. The lingual tablet does not require drinking water and can be used in patients with difficulty swallowing and an increased gag reflex.

For chronic diarrhea and IBS, the usual dosage form of loperamide is prescribed. A promising drug is with the complex active substance loperamide + simethicone, which effectively absorbs gases in the intestines.

WHO position on the use of loperamide in the treatment of diarrhea in children :

The following drugs containing loperamide are registered in the USA: Diamode, Imodium A-D, Imodium A-D EZ Chews, Imodium A-D New Formula, Kao-Paverin, Kaopectate 1-D, Imodium, Maalox Anti-Diarrheal, Pepto Diarrhea Control, Imotil, Diar-Aid. In the United States, medications, depending on the content of loperamide, can be either over-the-counter or prescription.

Instructions from different loperamide manufacturers
Instructions from some manufacturers of drugs containing loperamide as the only active ingredient (pdf):
  • for Russia: “Instructions for use of the drug Loperamide-Akri”, JSC “Akrikhin”
  • for Ukraine (in Russian): “Instructions for medical use of the drug Loperamide”, OJSC “Kievmedpreparat”
By Order of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 30, 2009 No. 2135-r, loperamide (capsules; tablets; chewable tablets) is included in the List of vital and essential medicines.

Loperamide has contraindications, side effects and application features; consultation with a specialist is necessary.

Loperamide is a symptomatic antidiarrheal drug indicated for the treatment of acute and chronic non-infectious diarrhea.

The active substance, loperamide hydrochloride, reduces the motor activity of the gastrointestinal tract and inhibits the movement of intestinal contents.

Loperamide hydrochloride binds to opiate receptors in the intestinal wall, resulting in the suppression of the release of acetylcholine and prostaglandins. Slows down propulsive intestinal motility, and also increases the time of passage of intestinal contents through the digestive tract and the ability of the intestinal wall to absorb fluid.

Loperamide increases the tone of the anal sphincter, thereby reducing fecal incontinence and the urge to defecate.

The half-life is approximately 11 hours with a range of 9-14 hours. Excretion of the unchanged active substance and its metabolites occurs mainly in the feces.

Loperamide is not intended for the initial treatment of severe diarrhea that is accompanied by decreased fluid and electrolyte levels. In particular, in children, it is advisable to compensate for this loss by prescribing replacement therapy parenterally or orally.

If there is no effect after 2 days of therapy, you should consult a doctor. During the treatment of diarrhea, it is necessary to replace the loss of fluid and electrolytes.

Indications for use

What does Loperamide help with? According to the instructions, the drug is prescribed in the following cases:

  • conditions of chronic and acute diarrhea that have developed for various reasons, including its allergic, drug, emotional and radiation origin (for symptomatic therapy);
  • situations of development of diarrhea due to a sharp change in food composition and diet with impaired absorption and metabolism (traveler's diarrhea);
  • infectious diarrhea (as an adjuvant treatment);
  • the need to regulate stool consistency in patients with ileostomy.

Instructions for use of Loperamide, dosage

Inside (capsules - without chewing, with water; lingual tablet - on the tongue, within a few seconds it disintegrates, after which it is swallowed with saliva, without water).

Standard dosages of Loperamide according to the instructions for use:

  • for acute diarrhea, 2 mg after each act of defecation. In this case, the first dose should be 4 mg;
  • for chronic diarrhea, the dose of the drug is selected so that the frequency of stool does not exceed 1-2 times a day. In this case, the first dose should be 2 mg.

For adults, the maximum daily dose of the drug should not exceed 16 mg.

Loperamide dosages for children:

  • at the age of 2 to 5 years, it is prescribed at a dose of 100 mcg/kg 2-3 times a day;
  • at the age of 6-8 years, 2 mg is prescribed 2 times a day;
  • Children 9-12 years old are prescribed 2 mg three times a day. If diarrhea continues, the drug is prescribed 2 mg after each bowel movement. In this case, the maximum daily dose of 6 mg per 20 kg of body weight should not be exceeded.

For chronic diarrhea, children over 5 years of age are prescribed a daily dose of 2 mg.

If there is no stool for more than 12 hours and when it normalizes, the drug should be discontinued.

Side effects

The instructions warn about the possibility of developing the following side effects when prescribing Loperamide:

  • from the nervous system: drowsiness, dizziness, increased fatigue;
  • from the gastrointestinal tract: dry mouth, intestinal colic, nausea, pain or discomfort in the abdomen, constipation or bloating, vomiting, intestinal obstruction;
  • allergic reactions: hives or skin rash; extremely rarely - bullous rash or anaphylactic shock;
  • other effects: in rare cases - urinary retention.

Contraindications

Loperamide is contraindicated in the following cases:

  • hypersensitivity, intestinal obstruction, diverticulosis, acute ulcerative colitis, pseudomembranous colitis caused by taking broad-spectrum antibiotics;
  • other conditions in which inhibition of intestinal motility is unacceptable;
  • acute dysentery (especially with blood in the stool and accompanied by elevated body temperature);
  • children's age (up to 2 years).

Overdose

In case of overdose, the following symptoms may appear: depression of the central nervous system (stupor, loss of coordination, drowsiness, miosis, muscle hypertension, respiratory depression), intestinal obstruction.

A specific opiate antidote is prescribed - naloxone (0.4 mg/ml IV repeatedly, at 2-3 minute intervals); clinical observation for 48 hours.

Drug interactions

Cholestyramine may reduce the effectiveness of Loperamide capsules or tablets.

When used together with ritonavir or co-trimoxazole, the bioavailability of the drug increases. This is due to inhibition of the metabolism of the active substance of the drug when passing through the liver.

Analogues of Loperamide, price in pharmacies

If necessary, you can replace Loperamide with an analogue for therapeutic action - these are the following drugs:

  1. Lopedium,
  2. Loperamide-Akrikhin,
  3. Imodium Plus,
  4. Uzara,
  5. Loflatil,
  6. Diaremix.

By ATX code:

  • Diara,
  • Imodium,
  • Laremid,
  • Loperacal,
  • Superilol.

When choosing analogues, it is important to understand that the instructions for use of Loperamide, price and reviews do not apply to drugs with similar effects. It is important to consult a doctor and not change the drug yourself.

Price in Russian pharmacies: Loperamide 2 mg tablets 20 pcs. – from 7 to 12 rubles, 2 mg capsules 20 pcs. – from 40 to 49 rubles, according to 792 pharmacies.

Store in a dry place, protected from light and out of reach of children, at a temperature not exceeding +25°C. Shelf life – 2 years.

What do the reviews say?

According to reviews from doctors, Loperamide is an inexpensive, accessible, effective and fast-acting drug.

Users note that it does not help with diarrhea of ​​infectious etiology. Side effects are rarely reported.