What is loperamide?
Loperamide slows the rhythm of digestion so that the small intestines have more time to absorb fluid and nutrients from the foods you eat. Loperamide is used to treat diarrhea. Loperamide is also used to reduce the amount of stool in people who have an ileostomy (re-routing of the bowel through a surgical opening in the stomach). Loperamide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Back to Top
What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?
This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.
| Loperamide HCl 2MG Capsules | TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA | 30/$11.99 or 90/$16.97 |
Back to Top
What are the possible side effects of loperamide?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic
reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these
serious side effects:
-
stomach pain or bloating;
-
ongoing or worsening diarrhea;
-
diarrhea that is watery or bloody; or
-
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash.
Less serious side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
Back to Top
How should I take loperamide?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended. Take loperamide with a full glass of water. Drink extra water while you are taking this medication to keep from getting dehydrated. Loperamide is usually taken at the first sign of diarrhea, and again if diarrhea comes back. The first dose of loperamide is usually twice as much as the following doses. Do not take this medication more than 3 times in 24 hours without your doctor's advice.
Back to Top
What is the most important information I should know about loperamide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to loperamide, or if you have stools that are bloody, black, or tarry, or if you have diarrhea that is caused by taking an antibiotic. Before taking loperamide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have a fever, mucus in your stools, a history of liver disease, or if you are taking an antibiotic. Drink extra water while you are taking this medication to keep from getting dehydrated. It may take up to 48 hours of taking loperamide before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 10 days of treatment.
Back to Top
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since loperamide is usually taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Back to Top
What other drugs will affect loperamide?
Before taking loperamide, tell your doctor if you are also taking saquinavir (Invirase). There may be other drugs that can interact with loperamide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Back to Top
Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?
Loperamide has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies failed to reveal evidence of teratogenicity or fetal harm. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Loperamide should only be given during pregnancy if the potential benefits outweighs the risks.
Loperamide is excreted into human milk in small amounts. The effects in the nursing infant are unknown. According to the manufacturer, administration of loperamide during lactation is not recommended.
In one study, loperamide was detected in the milk of six healthy puerperal women given loperamide oxide 4 mg orally every 12 hours for 2 doses. Mean loperamide milk (serum) concentrations ranged from 0.18 (0.36) ng/mL immediately prior to the second dose to 0.27 (0.73) ng/mL and 0.19 (0.54) ng/mL six and 24 hours after the second dose, respectively. The authors estimated that if an infant drank 165 mL/kg/day, the ingested dose of loperamide would be 2000 times less than the usual therapeutic dose of 0.2 mg/kg/day. The infants did not breast-feed in this study.
Back to Top
Who should NOT use this medication?
- Known hypersensitivity to loperamide.
- Conditions in which constipation must be avoided.
Back to Top
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, drowsiness, urinating less than usual, severe stomach cramps or bloating, and vomiting.
Back to Top
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking loperamide?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to loperamide, or if you have: stools that are bloody, black, or tarry; or if you have diarrhea that is caused by taking an antibiotic. Before taking loperamide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: a fever; mucus in your stools; a history of liver disease; or if you are taking an antibiotic. If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take loperamide. FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Back to Top
Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
Back to Top
I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
Back to Top
Where can I get more information?
More Information
Back to Top
Print
Email
Media Gallery
Drug Info Tools
Medicare's drug plans are subsidized by the US federal government and offered through insurers.
