Imodium (Loperamide)

Imodium

Generic name: Loperamide tablets or capsules

Loperamide tablets or capsules

What are loperamide tablets or capsules?

LOPERAMIDE (Imodium®) helps to control and relieve the symptoms of diarrhea including traveler's diarrhea and the diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel diseases. Generic loperamide capsules are available.

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
• diarrhea for more than 2 days
• 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 take this medicine?

Take loperamide tablets or capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets or capsules with a drink of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

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

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 drug(s) may interact with loperamide?

• alosetron
• cholestyramine
• cisapride
• erythromycin
• metoclopramide
• quinidine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking loperamide?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• black or bloody stools
• bloated, swollen feeling in your abdomen
• blurred vision
• loss of appetite
• skin rash
• stomach pain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• drowsiness or dizziness
• dry mouth
• constipation
• nausea, vomiting
• tiredness

What should I watch for while taking loperamide?

Do not take loperamide for more than 1 week without consulting your prescriber or health care professional. If your symptoms do not improve after taking loperamide for two days, you may have a problem that needs further evaluation. Check with your prescriber or health care professional at once if you develop a fever, severe abdominal pain, swelling or bulging, or if you 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 loperamide affects you. Alcohol can increase possible drowsiness and dizziness; avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Sucking hard candy or chewing sugarless gum and drinking plenty of water can help. Drinking plenty of water can also help prevent dehydration that can occur with diarrhea.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.