What is Loperamide Hydrochloride
LoperamideThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryLoperamide is a medication used to treat diarrhea. It works by blocking the release of certain chemicals in the gut, which reduces the amount of fluid in the stool. It does not get absorbed into the body, so it does not affect the central nervous system or adrenal glands, but it does block histamine and interrupt the release of acetylcholine in the stomach.
Imodium A-Dis the brand name
Loperamide Hydrochloride Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Imodium A-D
Loperamide
1989
401
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Loperamide, otherwise called Imodium A-D, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses including Diarrhea and Gastroenteritis .Diarrhea
Gastroenteritis
Effectiveness
How Loperamide Hydrochloride Affects PatientsLoperamide is an anti-diarrheal medication that helps relieve diarrhea. It helps reduce the speed of digestion and encourages the body to absorb more fluid and electrolytes from the digestive system. It also tightens the anal sphincter, which helps reduce incontinence and sudden urges to go to the bathroom. The effects of loperamide usually start within an hour and can last up to three days. Although it is a potent mu-opioid receptor agonist, it does not usually provide pain relief. Taking large amounts of loperamide can interfere with how the heart works, which can cause irregular heartbe
How Loperamide Hydrochloride works in the bodyLoperamide is a drug that helps manage gastrointestinal issues. It works by binding to opioids receptors on the circular and longitudinal muscles of the intestine. This binding activates certain pathways which reduce nerve activity in the gut, decreasing the release of neurotransmitters and other molecules. This leads to decreased peristalsis, which slows down the movement of food through the gut. Loperamide also helps with the absorption of water and electrolytes, and can lead to firmer stools.
When to interrupt dosage
The prescribed dose of Loperamide Hydrochloride is contingent upon the diagnosed disorder, including Diarrhea, Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis and Intestinal stoma leak. The quantity of dosage fluctuates, in accordance with the administration technique featured in the table underneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Gastroenteritis
, 0.2 mg/mL, 2.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, , Kit - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Liquid, Tablet, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution, Oral, Tablet, coated, Capsule, liquid filled, Kit, Liquid - Oral, Capsule, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Suspension, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Suspension - Oral
Intestinal stoma leak
, 0.2 mg/mL, 2.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, , Kit - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Liquid, Tablet, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution, Oral, Tablet, coated, Capsule, liquid filled, Kit, Liquid - Oral, Capsule, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Suspension, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Suspension - Oral
Chronic Functional Diarrhea
, 0.2 mg/mL, 2.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, , Kit - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Liquid, Tablet, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution, Oral, Tablet, coated, Capsule, liquid filled, Kit, Liquid - Oral, Capsule, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Suspension, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Suspension - Oral
Diarrhea
, 0.2 mg/mL, 2.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, , Kit - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Liquid, Tablet, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution, Oral, Tablet, coated, Capsule, liquid filled, Kit, Liquid - Oral, Capsule, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Suspension, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Suspension - Oral
Crohn's Disease
, 0.2 mg/mL, 2.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, , Kit - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Liquid, Tablet, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution, Oral, Tablet, coated, Capsule, liquid filled, Kit, Liquid - Oral, Capsule, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Suspension, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Suspension - Oral
Warnings
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Loperamide Hydrochloride.Common Loperamide Hydrochloride Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Anagrelide
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Loperamide is combined with Anagrelide.
Artemether
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Loperamide is combined with Artemether.
Asenapine
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Loperamide is combined with Asenapine.
Astemizole
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Loperamide is combined with Astemizole.
Brigatinib
Major
The metabolism of Brigatinib can be decreased when combined with Loperamide.
Loperamide Hydrochloride Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe toxic dose of loperamide in rats is 185 mg/kg. Taking too much loperamide can cause serious heart problems, such as an irregular heartbeat, or sudden death. It can also lead to symptoms of opioid toxicity, like confusion, sleepiness, pinpoint pupils, stiff muscles, shallow breathing, and a blocked intestine. If you suspect an overdose, medical treatment may include naloxone to reverse the toxic effects.
Loperamide Hydrochloride Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Loperamide Hydrochloride?
Currently, 52 active trials are assessing the potential of Loperamide Hydrochloride to manage Chronic Functional Diarrhea, Intestinal stoma leak and Gastroenteritis.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Chronic Functional Diarrhea
0 Actively Recruiting
Intestinal stoma leak
0 Actively Recruiting
Gastroenteritis
29 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4, Early Phase 1, Not Applicable
Diarrhea
0 Actively Recruiting
Crohn's Disease
21 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1
Loperamide Hydrochloride Reviews: What are patients saying about Loperamide Hydrochloride?
5Patient Review
7/29/2010 Get a prescription from your doctor so you can buy it in bulk; 100 count bottles. Insurance companies will cover the cost this way. The drug is effective at masking symptoms, but I want to get to the root of the issue and eliminate it altogether. This might be connected to the surgery I had in California over three years ago, but nobody seems to know for sure.
5Patient Review
2/15/2014 I've been struggling with IBS for six years now and have tried every medical treatment possible to no avail. This is my last resort, and so far it's working! I haven't had any reoccurrences in the nine weeks that I've been taking this medication.
5Patient Review
7/7/2017 I'm not sure if it's more effective to take this once or twice a week as a preventative measure, or only after you've been exposed to the risk of bowel explosion.
5Patient Review
6/22/2011 After my gallbladder surgery, I had nonstop diarrhea. This medication was the only thing that finally helped me get some relief.
5Patient Review
3/19/2013 Loperamide has been a total life-saver for me. I was really suffering from some stomach issues, but this medication stopped the diarrhea almost immediately. Whenever I have a flare-up now, I take Loperamide and it goes away quickly.
5Patient Review
12/25/2013 This treatment caused me to have several days of diarrhea.
5Patient Review
2/2/2012 I have colitis, and this medication really helps to lessen the severity of my symptoms. I've tried other oral powders before, but this one seems to work the best.
5Patient Review
12/13/2017 This drug is a lifesaver. Whenever I get the stomach flu, it's the only thing that helps me feel better quickly.
5Patient Review
2/22/2021 My doctor recommended this for my IBS and it has helped me a lot. I don't have as many sudden urges to go to the bathroom, and it's really improved my quality of life.
5Patient Review
2/27/2017 Follow the directions and this will help you out a lot!
5Patient Review
6/19/2016 This medication is incredibly effective at treating my IBS-D. Whenever I start to feel the cramping and burning, I take a dose of this and it always does the trick.
4.7Patient Review
5/9/20104Patient Review
7/29/2011 I've been struggling with IBS for years, but this medication has helped me immensely. Eating smaller meals more frequently in conjunction with taking a 2mg tablet of loperamide hydrochloride has really regulated my digestive system.
2.3Patient Review
3/27/2017 Easy to use and very effective. I like that it was easy to adjust the dosage.
Patient Q&A Section about loperamide hydrochloride
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What are side effects of loperamide?
"The following are symptoms of a bad reaction to a medication: blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin; chest pain or discomfort; decrease in urine volume; decrease in frequency of urination; difficulty in passing urine; fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse; hives or welts; itching; rash; or irregular or slow heartbeat."
Answered by AI
What does loperamide hydrochloride do?
"Loperamide is a medicine used to treat diarrhoea by making the stool firmer. It can help with short-term diarrhoea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by decreasing the number of bowel movements and making the stool less watery. Loperamide is also used for recurring or longer lasting diarrhoea from bowel conditions such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and short bowel syndrome. It works by slowing down the movement of the intestine so that the body can absorb more water from the stool."
Answered by AI
Why is loperamide not recommended?
"This medicine could lead to heart rhythm problems, such as torsades de pointes, ventricular arrhythmias. If you or your child have chest pain or discomfort, a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, fainting, or trouble breathing, check with your doctor right away. Loperamide may raise your chances for stomach or bowel problems."
Answered by AI
When is the best time to take loperamide?
"Adults and teenagers should take 4 mg (2 tablets) after the first loose bowel movement, and 2 mg (1 tablet) after each loose bowel movement after the first dose has been taken. No more than 8 mg (4 tablets) should be taken in any 24-hour period."
Answered by AI