Imodium
Loperamide
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Imodium
Imodium is an anti diarrhea medicine. It acts by slowing movement of the bowel content by reducing the peristaltic movement of the intestines.
Therapeutic Uses of Imodium
Imodium is used in the treatment of symptoms of diarrheas of certain types. It is also used to reduce the amount of discharge after an ileostomy operation. Imodium can also be used in other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Direction of use of Imodium
Take Imodium as your doctor tells you or follow the procedure given below:
- Take Imodium orally with a glass of water, with food or without food.
- You should drink extra water or fluid in diarrhea. Consult your doctor or other health care provider if you have any question.
If You Miss a Dose of Imodium
If you miss a dose of Imodium you should take it as soon as you remember it. If you miss for long time that it is almost time for the next dose than skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses together and if you miss more than one dose you should consult your doctor.
How to Store Imodium
Imodium should be stored at room temperature i.e. 68 to 77 degrees F or 20 to 25 degrees C. Imodium can be stored for a brief period at little higher than room temperature or little lower temperature without any problem. Imodium should be stored away from moisture, heat and light. Keep it away from reach of children. Never store Imodium in a bathroom.
More Information About Imodium
Imodium should be taken by the patient for whom it is prescribes and never shared with anyone. If you have any question about Imodium ask you doctor or other health care worker.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Imodium
Do not use Imodium if you have any of the following problems and consult your doctor immediately:
- If you have allergy to any of the ingredients of Imodium.
- If you have stomach pain without diarrhea.
- Do not give Imodium in patients who are less than 2 years of age.
- If you have bloody stools, stomach bloating, constipation etc.
Important notes to remember:
- Imodium may cause tiredness, dizziness or drowsiness. All these effects of Imodium are increased if alcohol is consumed with it. Use Imodium with caution. Do not drive or perform works that need constant monitoring and are risky when you are taking Imodium. Do the risky jobs if you know that you do not have dizziness, drowsiness or tiredness with Imodium.
- Pregnancy and lactation: if you are pregnant you should discuss with your doctor before taking Imodium about the risks of using it during pregnancy. Imodium is found in the breast milk and you should not breast feed your baby if you are on Imodium.
- Imodium is used in the treatment of symptoms of diarrhea and is not for treating the cause of diarrhea. You may need to treat the cause of diarrhea separately from the symptoms. Ask you doctor if you will need to treat the cause of diarrhea or if you have any other question regarding Imodium.
- Do not take Imodium more than recommended and it should not be used for more than 48 hours without instruction from your doctor. If your diarrhea do not improve or it gets worse within 48 hours than you should consult your doctor.
- If you develop fever, stomach bloating, or blood in your stool you should consult your doctor.
Possible Adverse Effects of Imodium
The following are the possible side effects of Imodium and you should consult your doctor if your side effects become troublesome or they persist for longer time than usual:
- Severe allergic reactions (rash; itching; difficulty in breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); constipation; redness, swelling, blistering, or peeling of skin; reduced urine production; bloating of stomach, pain in stomach or swelling of stomach etc.
