Loperamide

Loperamide is one of the most popular and effective medicines that helps cope with acute or chronic form of diarrhea (diarrhea).

The drug reduces the motor activity of the gastrointestinal tract and inhibits the progress of intestinal contents (feces).

It is produced in the form of enteric-soluble tablets, hard gelatin capsules and capsules in a gelatinous shell. Before applying for diarrhea in a child, it is necessary to consult a doctor, since the drug has contraindications, including age limits.

Clinical and pharmacological group

Antidiarrheal symptomatic drug.

Conditions of leave from pharmacies

Released without a doctor's prescription.

Price list

How much does Loperamide cost? The average price in pharmacies is at the level of20 rubles.

Form of issue and composition

Produced in the form of tablets for oral administration in white in blister packs of 10 in a cardboard box. The box contains a detailed instruction with a description.

The active substance of Loperamide is loperamide hydrochloride:

• 1 tablet - 2 mg;
• 1 capsule - 2 mg.

Auxiliary components:

• Tablets: lactose, magnesium stearate, potato starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone;
• Capsules: milk sugar, magnesium stearate, corn starch, aerosil, talc.

Pharmacological effect

Loperamide is a symptomatic antidiarrhoeal drug, which, acting on receptors, reduces the motor and tone of intestinal musculature. This effect of the drug helps to slow the process of promoting the contents of the intestine. Simultaneously, Loperamide strengthens the tone of the sphincter, which allows it to keep the stool masses longer.

The use of the drug significantly reduces the frequency of urge to empty the intestine. The drug starts to act within an hour after taking. The duration of action of one capsule or tablet is 4 to 6 hours.

Indications for use

According to the instructions for use, Loperamide is indicated for:

• diarrhea of ​​an allergic nature;
• viral diseases accompanied by diarrhea;
• the climate change, when the so-called travelers' diarrhea happens;
• diarrhea associated with emotional stress;
• chronic diseases, the symptoms of which is diarrhea - Crohn's disease, colitis, ulcers, etc.;
• liquid stool, which appeared due to malnutrition, changes in diet (especially often this happens in children);
• alcohol and chemical poisoning, accompanied by diarrhea;
• liquid stool caused by drugs (antibiotics and others), radiation therapy or surgical intervention;
• infectious diarrhea, in this case the drug is included in complex therapy with antibacterial agents;
• enkopreze - incontinence of a feces, that is a disturbance of a tone of an intestine and an anal aperture, often enough happens at older persons.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity or individual intolerance to the components of the drug, pregnancy, intestinal obstruction, diverticulosis. Do not take during lactation. It is not prescribed for children up to 2 years. In the presence of blood in the stool, high temperature, ulcerative and pseudomembranous colitis take only under the supervision and on the advice of a doctor.

Use in pregnancy and lactation

Contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy.

In the II and III trimesters of pregnancy Loperamide can be prescribed in cases where the expected benefit of therapy for the mother exceeds the potential risk to the fetus. Since a small amount of Loperamide is found in breast milk, taking it during breastfeeding is not recommended.

Dosage and route of administration

The instructions for use indicate that loperamide is taken orally, without chewing, with water.

1. Adults with acute and chronic diarrhea are initially assigned 2 capsules (0.004 g), then 1 capsule (0.002 g) after each act of defecation in the case of a loose stool. In acute diarrhea, children over 6 years of age are prescribed 1 capsule (0.002 g) after each act of defecation in the case of a loose stool.
2. The maximum daily dose. In acute and chronic diarrhea in adults - 8 capsules (0.016 g); in children - 3 capsules (0.006 g).

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

Side effects

More often can be observed with prolonged or uncontrolled application.

1. Intestinal colic;
2. Gastralgia (pain in the stomach);
3. Soreness or discomfort in the abdomen;
4. Nausea, flatulence, vomiting;
5. Skin allergic reactions by type of urticaria, rarely - bullous rash;
6. Inhibition or insomnia;
7. Dizziness;
8. Dry mouth;
9. Hypovolemia and electrolyte disturbances;
10. Rarely - delay of urinary retention, extremely rarely - intestinal obstruction.

Overdose

In case the patient started taking the drug without consulting a doctor, or deliberately increases the dose to in a short time to get rid of diarrhea - it may well be an overdose, which is characterized by the following symptoms:

• constipation (intestinal obstruction);
• drowsiness;
• stupor;
• violation of coordination of movements, slowness of perception;
• violation of breathing.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, you need to use an antidote (Naloxone). In cases of severe overdosage, it is necessary to rinse the stomach, give the victim an adsorbent and call an ambulance. In case of an overdose with Loperamide, the patient needs medical supervision at the medical facility within 2 days. If at the end of this period the condition is normalized - in this case the doctors allow the patient to leave the hospital.

special instructions

1. In the absence of effect after 2 days. Loperamide should be taken to a doctor.
2. During the treatment of diarrhea, it is necessary to replenish the loss of fluid and electrolytes.
3. If the treatment develop constipation or bloating, loperamide should be discarded. In patients with impaired liver function, careful monitoring of signs of toxic CNS damage is necessary.

During the period of treatment, care must be taken when driving vehicles and occupations, etc. potentially dangerous activities that require increased concentration and speed of psychomotor reactions.

Drug Interactions

Kolestyramin is able to reduce the effectiveness of capsules or tablets Loperamide.

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

Reviews

We picked up some reviews of people taking the drug Loperamide:

1. Christina. I've been buying Loperamid-Akrihin for a long time already from diarrhea and I'm 100% satisfied, he helps quickly, he never failed me again. I tried the imodium, but did not notice any difference, and between the prices of these two drugs the difference was significant, I read the analogues and calmed down completely. I do not want to pay extra money for a more popular drug if there is no difference.
2. Eugene. "Loperamide" I always use whenever necessary, regardless of the cause of diarrhea - poisoning or from copious intake of fatty foods. I apply the drug according to the annotation after each liquid stool. Almost always there is a positive effect and it comes in 20-30 minutes after taking. Another important plus of the drug is its cheapness. The analogue of "Loperamide" is "Imodium", its price is much higher, but it is not much more effective than Loperamide itself in the effectiveness of the action.
3. Svetlana. I was rescued by loperamide when I was at university. The thing is that when I'm nervous and worried, especially during exams and sessions, then I get diarrhea. I can not do anything about this and only think about it. So I started taking it in emergencies. But often it can not be used, since then it is difficult to walk to the toilet.

Analogues

An analogue is a drug that has the same active substance. In the synonym for Loperamide, the active substance can be contained in different dosages, and the composition of the auxiliary substances varies.

Generics of the drug Loperamide:

• Imodium;
• Lediumum;
• Diar;
• Lopramide grindex;
• Loperamide hydrochloride;
• Stopearan;
• Superylope;
• Imodium plus;
• Loflatil;
• Enterobene;
• Uzar.

Before using analogues, consult your doctor.

Storage conditions and shelf life

When buying Loperamide, be sure to pay attention to the expiration date, which some manufacturers have 3 years, and others - 4 years from the date of manufacture of the drug.

Also pay attention to the storage conditions. Loperamide should be stored in a dark place, with low humidity, at an air temperature not exceeding 25oC. If these requirements are violated, the drug may lose its therapeutic properties, or its storage time may be shortened.

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