Imodium
Imodium is a medicine used to treat diarrhea by slowing down bowel movements, which makes stools firmer and reduces the frequency of bowel movements.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
2 mg
Active Ingredient
Loperamide hydrochloride
Manufacturer
McNeil / JNTL Consumer Health (Finland) Oy
How to Use
Dosage
For acute diarrhea, take 2 tablets initially, then 1 tablet after each loose stool.
Method
Imodium 2 mg tablets should be swallowed whole with liquid, and can be taken at any time of day.
Important
Do not take more than 8 tablets in a 24-hour period; stop treatment if stools become firm or hard, or if there is no bowel movement for 24 hours.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •headache
- •dizziness
- •constipation
- •nausea
- •flatulence
RARE
- •drowsiness
- •abdominal pain or discomfort in the stomach
- •dry mouth
- •vomiting
- •indigestion
- •rash
- •constriction of eye pupils
- •difficulty urinating
- •fatigue
- •muscle tension
- •coordination disorders
- •Severe allergic reactions such as swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, shortness of breath, hives (urticaria), skin redness, or blisters. Seek immediate medical attention.
- •Extreme fatigue, muscle tension, coordination disorders, loss of consciousness. Seek immediate medical attention.
- •Severe abdominal pain and/or swelling of the abdomen, which may be signs of intestinal blockage or enlargement. Seek immediate medical attention.
- •Upper abdominal pain, abdominal pain radiating to the back, tenderness to the touch in the abdomen, fever, rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting, which may be symptoms of pancreatitis (acute pancreatitis).
Important Warnings
- Do not use Imodium if you are allergic to loperamide or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not give this medicine to children under 6 years old (under 20 kg).
- Do not use if your stool is bloody or if diarrhea is accompanied by a high fever.
- Avoid use if you have inflammation of the large intestine (e.g., acute ulcerative colitis).
- Do not take if you have severe diarrhea caused by antibiotic treatment.
Show 13 more warnings
- Do not use if food transit in your intestines is already slow, for example, if you have constipation or a bloated stomach.
- Avoid use if you have enteritis caused by a spreading bacteria (e.g., salmonella, shigella, or campylobacter).
- Although Imodium stops diarrhea, it does not treat the root cause. Always treat the cause of diarrhea whenever possible.
- Diarrhea causes significant fluid loss. Replace lost fluids by drinking plenty. Fluid replacement is especially important for children.
- If symptoms of acute diarrhea do not stop within 48 hours, stop Imodium treatment and contact a doctor.
- Inform pharmacy staff about any liver problems before starting Imodium, as treatment might need medical supervision.
- If you have AIDS and your stomach swells during Imodium treatment, stop using the medicine immediately and contact a doctor.
- Do not use this product for any other purpose than its intended use, and never exceed the recommended dose. Taking too much loperamide has been associated with severe heart problems (e.g., rapid or irregular heartbeat).
- Imodium should only be given to children under 12 years of age for acute diarrhea under a doctor's prescription.
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
- This product is not recommended during breastfeeding, as small amounts of the active substance may pass into breast milk.
- Diarrhea can cause fatigue, drowsiness, or dizziness. Be careful when driving or operating machinery.
- Imodium contains lactose. If your doctor has told you that you have a sugar intolerance, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category A
Suitable for older adults. For treatment of diarrhoea for no more than two days. Do not use for the treatment of febrile diarrhoea. Avoid grapefruit. (updated 20.5.2024)