Loperamide is an antidiarrheal capsule treatment. It helps make your stools firmer, and can relieve your diarrhoea symptoms quickly.
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Loperamide is a capsule treatment for short-term, acute diarrhoea. It can also be used to treat long-term diarrhoea, but this is less common and often caused by another condition like irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease.
The active ingredient in the capsules, loperamide, belongs to a group of medications called antidiarrheal agents. They work by slowing down your bowel movements, and help your stools become firmer by decreasing the amount of fluid in your bowel.
How does Loperamide work?
Antidiarrheals work by making food pass through your gut slower than it normally would. This gives your body a chance to draw water through your intestinal walls, which helps your digestive system get back into a normal rhythm. As things slow down, your loose stools are able to become firm again and you should be able to start eating and drinking like you usually would.
Diarrhoea isn’t usually serious, but it can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition. If your symptoms don’t improve after 2 days of using Loperamide, you might need to see a doctor. They’ll usually recommend tests to determine what’s causing your loose stools.
What doses of Loperamide are there?
Loperamide is available as 2mg capsules. After you first develop diarrhoea symptoms, you’ll need to take a first dose of two capsules. Once you’ve taken this initial dose, you’ll then switch to taking one capsule after every loose bowel movement.
You should avoid taking Loperamide for any longer than 5 days. If your stools aren’t improving by then, speak to a clinician.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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How to take Loperamide
Loperamide capsules need to be swallowed whole with a glass of water. You should swallow two after your first bout of diarrhoea, and one capsule only after any further bouts.
Although you don’t need to take Loperamide with food, it’s recommended you eat solid foods as soon as you feel able to. Drinking a small amount of water whenever you have a loose bowel movement can help you to keep your fluids up and avoid becoming dehydrated.
Does Loperamide work right away?
Loperamide capsules usually start working within an hour, and can be taken for a maximum of 5 days. The recommended dose is for ‘short-lived’ diarrhoea, which usually resolves within that time.
If you're still getting loose stools after 5 days, speak to a clinician. Diarrhoea that lasts for a long period of time can cause complications like malabsorption (where your body can’t easily absorb nutrients) and dehydration, and might be a sign of an underlying health condition.
What should I do if I make a mistake when using Loperamide?
The patient information leaflet (PIL) that comes with your medication recommends never taking more than 8 capsules in any 24 hour period. There’s no need to double up your dose, as it won’t help treat your diarrhoea any quicker or more effectively.
Taking more Loperamide than you need can cause heart problems. If you think you’ve taken too much, get urgent medical attention by going to your nearest hospital.
If you feel sleepy, tired, or dizzy after taking Loperamide, you should avoid driving or operating any machinery.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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FAQ: Loperamide
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How is Loperamide different from other treatments for diarrhoea?
Answer:
You’ve got a few options when it comes to treating diarrhoea. Rehydration sachets are often used to treat short-term bouts. They replace your body’s natural salt and minerals that are lost when you have diarrhoea. These are available as both generic sachets that you can get in supermarkets and pharmacies, or branded versions like Dioralyte.
Loperamide treats diarrhoea in a different way. Antimotility medicines control the frequency of your bowel movements, which gives your stools a chance to become firmer. Other antimotility treatments for diarrhoea include Kaolin and Morphine Mixture, Lomotil (which contains diphenoxylate and atropine), and Imodium, which is a branded version of Loperamide.
Will Loperamide cause any side effects?
Answer:
Some of the most common side effects people get when using Loperamide are headaches, constipation, nausea and wind. Less common ones include drowsiness, dry mouth and indigestion. Like all medications, the side effects people get vary person-to-person, and not everybody gets them.
If you develop symptoms like sudden facial swelling, an unusual rash, or skin blisters, you might need urgent medical attention as these are all signs of an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions need immediate medical attention, so you should head to your nearest hospital. Bringing your medication and its box with you will help staff get you the right treatment in a hurry.
The patient information leaflet (PIL) included with your medication contains a list of all the possible side effects you might develop, including allergic reactions.
How long does Loperamide take to work?
Answer:
Loperamide should start to work right away, usually within an hour of taking a capsule. For short-term bouts of diarrhoea, it’s recommended you take Loperamide for a maximum of 5 days. Generally, this should be enough time to treat your diarrhoea symptoms and allow your stools to become firm again.
If your symptoms don’t improve after 2 days, speak to a clinician. There might be an underlying cause of your loose stools that might need investigating further. Loperamide is sometimes prescribed for long-term management of diarrhoea — a clinician can advise you about taking the capsules to treat diarrhoea that doesn’t improve after a week.
How effective is Loperamide?
Answer:
Loperamide has been used medically since 1976, and is included in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) ‘Essential Medicines List’. In a study that compared it to bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol, loperamide was found to maintain control of diarrhoea for longer. It also treated diarrhoea faster, and more effectively.
Another study that measured its efficacy (how well it works) compared it again to bismuth subsalicylate, and a third antidiarrheal agent called diphenoxylate. Loperamide proved more effective at managing diarrhoea than both of the other antidiarrheals in the study.
Loperamide is generally prescribed for 1-2 days, which should be long enough to improve your symptoms. If your diarrhoea is caused by another condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s disease, you might need to take Loperamide for longer.
Do I need a prescription for Loperamide?
Answer:
Loperamide is a prescription-only medication. Before our clinicians write a prescription for you, they'll make sure Loperamide is safe and suitable for you to use.
Loperamide hydrochloride is sometimes classified differently when it’s included in branded medicines that are available over the counter. If you’re using a non-prescription medicine to manage your diarrhoea, you should make sure you know exactly what’s in it.
Why should I buy Loperamide online with Treated?
Answer:
We understand that there are some health problems you need quick solutions to. That’s why we’ve made getting the help you need as easy as it should be. Once you’ve answered a few questions in a short consultation, we’ll connect you with a clinician who will recommend personalised options to manage your condition. Once you’ve chosen something, we’ll get it delivered to your door swiftly and in discreet packaging.
When you’ve started using your medication, you’ll get round-the-clock access to healthcare experts who can answer any questions you have about your treatment plan.
“Comparative Efficacy of Loperamide Hydrochloride and Bismuth Subsalicylate in the Management of Acute Diarrhoea.” The American Journal of Medicine, vol. 88, no. 6, pp. S15–S19, https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9343(90)90270-n.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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